Pennsylvania Signs Executive Order to Strictly Regulate AI Data Centers, Requires Developers to Bear Power Grid Costs

According to Decrypt, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order (Executive Order 2026-05) on August 19, imposing new restrictions on large AI data centers with peak power demand exceeding 25 megawatts. Key measures include: removing data centers from the state Permit Fast Track Program; requiring developers to bear the additional costs caused to the grid without passing them on to ordinary users; prohibiting state government agencies from signing confidentiality agreements regarding data center projects; establishing a public map of proposed facilities; and requiring operating data centers to report energy and water consumption annually starting from July 2027. Shapiro stated that there are currently over 100 data center projects proposed in Pennsylvania, but only 20 have submitted environmental permit applications. Earlier in March this year, tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft had already promised at the White House to bear the costs of new power infrastructure required for data centers themselves.