In a major shift, Gov. Josh Shapiro restricts data center development in Pennsylvania - Inquirer.com

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a sweeping executive order Tuesday, dramatically restricting data center development across the state. This marks a major shift for Shapiro, a first-term Democrat currently running for reelection and a rumored 2028 presidential contender. He was previously an early champion of data center development in Pennsylvania, but these projects have grown increasingly unpopular.

The new order avoids a full moratorium. It instead requires local approval before state permits can be issued. For any business planning new data center construction in Pennsylvania, securing local government consent is now a mandatory first step. This effectively blocks many potential projects without community buy-in, giving local jurisdictions significant power.