Pennsylvania Governor Reverses Data Center Fast-Track Program

Governor Josh Shapiro removed data centers from Pennsylvania's Permit Fast Track Program via executive order on August 18. This reversal follows his earlier promotion of the industry and creates regulatory uncertainty for major projects, including a $20 billion Amazon investment.

Shapiro issued the executive order after establishing the fast-track program to accelerate development. The move reflects a significant shift in the state's approach to energy-intensive industrial growth.

Community Opposition Intensifies

Public opposition to data centers has grown significantly. A poll by The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times and Siena University in August found two-thirds of likely Pennsylvania voters oppose data center construction.

Nearly 74 percent of Pennsylvanians said they would oppose an AI data center in their community as of 2026. This sentiment intensified during the summer of 2025, driven by rising electricity rates and community pushback against large developments.

Amazon's $20 Billion Investment Faces Scrutiny

Amazon's planned $20 billion Pennsylvania data center investment now faces regulatory and community challenges. The company committed the funds for two cloud computing and AI campuses in June 2025, an announcement Governor Shapiro touted at the time.

The Amazon Falls Township Data Center Development has Phase 1 online since April 2026. Phase 2 is projected to go live soon, but it remains pending one final DEP air quality permit. That permit has faced loud local opposition, including town halls, public comments, and zoning disputes.

Policy Shifts and GRID Standards

Governor Shapiro introduced Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) standards in February 2026. The standards tie permitting to energy costs, environmental protection, local jobs, and community engagement requirements.

The GRID framework requires developers to use 'clean firm' energy sources for 32 percent of power by 2035 and pay for infrastructure upgrades. However, Shapiro's budget deal with legislative leaders in July 2026 excluded measures to codify these standards into law.

As of October 27, no data center developer had signed a binding agreement to follow the voluntary GRID standards. Josh Shapiro, who became Pennsylvania Governor in January 2023, had previously said of the fast-track program, "We’re proving that government can move at the speed of business."