Pennsylvania bans data center projects without local approval

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Pennsylvania will no longer permit data center construction without local community support, reversing his earlier pro-industry stance and signaling a shift in state policy toward accommodating permitting resista

First covered Aug 21, 2026 · 7:28 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Pennsylvania bans data center projects without local approval — Image via heatmap.news

Coverage

36d Heatmap News Local Permitting Fights Take Over National Politics — 1. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania – We reached a new normal in the data center backlash, and it all seems to have started in King of Prussia.

Primary sources

nj.gov NJBPU Awards 16 Projects in Dual-Use Pilot Agrivoltaics Program

pa.gov Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order on Data Center Development in PA

Related coverage

38d Utility Dive Pennsylvania dangles permitting carrot for data centers that bring their own power

37d Canary Media PJM wants data centers to bring their own power. Pennsylvania’s on it.

More coverage from around the web

bloomberg.com Pennsylvania Sets New Restrictions on Data Centers as Local Opposition Rises - Bloomberg

pa.gov Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order on Data Center Development in PA | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

inquirer.com Gov. Josh Shapiro signs executive order restricting data center development in Pennsylvania

pa.gov ICYMI: Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order on Data Centers in PA | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

eenews.net Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro signs order to limit new data centers - E&E News by POLITICO

Appeared in: 2026-08-21 (#9) · 2026-08-23 (#12) · 2026-08-24 (#14)

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