Yesterday, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order requiring data centers to comply with his Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) requirements and to follow local land use regulations. Developers of data centers with a peak demand of over 25MW must agree to comply with the GRID requirements as part of their permit review process with the state Department of Environmental Protection and identify those municipal approvals that it is seeking. DEP is not to issue any permits for the data center until after the project has received all local or municipal approvals under the applicable subdivision and zoning ordinances and the project has received any water withdrawal or wastewater discharge permits.  

Among other provisions, the executive order prohibits state agencies from signing non-disclosure agreements with data centers, requires compliance with the recently adopted water and energy use reporting rules in Act 21 of 2026, and incorporates the GRID requirements as conditions into any qualifying permits. The state Department of Revenue is instructed to ensure that data centers are in compliance with GRID as a condition of receiving the sales tax exemption for data center equipment. DEP is directed to create a publicly accessible map with current permitting information about all proposed data center projects known to DEP or DOR.  

DEP is directed to recommend any regulations necessary to protect the environment from impacts caused uniquely by data center development and operations, including for generators, and to expedite permitting for new clean, reliable, affordable energy generation and storage facilities on brownfield and previously developed sites and facilities. DCED is directed to prepare best practices on zoning standards and community benefits agreements that local governments may use and has a toolkit available now.  

PSATS Executive Director David M. Sanko participated in the press conference in support of local land use control. “Today’s announcement is important because it reinforces a fundamental principle: land-use decisions are best made at the local level by the officials who know their communities, understand local conditions, such as geography and public safety capabilities, and are accountable to the residents they serve. Governor, on behalf of Pennsylvania’s townships and all local governments across the Commonwealth, thank you for your advocacy and leadership in prioritizing local decision-making on these important issues.” 

Click here to read the executive order. Click here for the press release. Click here for the GRID standards. Click here for the DCED toolkit. Click here for the DEP permit tracker.