Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Data center projects in Pennsylvania face stronger local scrutiny after Shapiro’s executive order

<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/756986/original/file-20260831-60-dk8reu.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.1&rect=0%2C0%2C5000%2C3333&q=45&auto=format&w=1050&h=700&fit=crop" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The cooling towers of an electric station are seen beyond an Amazon Web Services data center construction project in Berwick, Pa.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-cooling-towers-of-talen-energys-susquehanna-steam-news-photo/2283985839">Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Governors across the country are relying on their executive powers to address the increasing <a href="https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/the-ai-data-center-backlash/">public backlash against</a> data center proposals. </p> <p>In July 2026, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul placed an <a href="https://www.governor.ny.gov/executive-order/no-62-establishing-tempo