Data Centers in Pennsylvania:
An Emerging Issue for Pennsylvania Communities
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has brought increasing interest in the development of large-scale data centers across Pennsylvania. These projects may offer significant investment, jobs, and economic development, while also raising important questions about electricity demand and costs, water use, environmental impacts, local infrastructure, zoning, and the long-term benefits to host communities.
As Pennsylvania considers how and where these facilities should be developed, residents deserve clear information and an opportunity to understand where their elected officials and candidates stand. This page is intended as a resource for our community, bringing together background information, relevant news and public resources, and position statements from candidates appearing on the November ballot.
Resources:
Speaker from the August 11th meeting - Josephine Gingerich's group - Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania | advocating for socially and environmentally just action | Pennsylvania, USA
Upper Saucon data center ordinance - Ordinances - Upper Saucon Township - Lehigh County, Pennsylvania SKM_C650i18083022220
In the News:
GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S EXECUTIVE ORDER, August 18, 2026
Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order (EO) directing the Department of Environmental Protection to only review permit applications if developers have made a legally binding commitment to meet the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Requirements and have received local approval.
The GRID Requirements demand developers meet strict standards on energy affordability, environmental protection, workforce and economic development, transparency, and community engagement.
The Executive Order removes all AI data center proposals from the Fast Track permitting process and prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements for data center projects.*
Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order Demanding Data Center Developers Comply with Strict Requirements and Blocking Speculative, Irresponsible Data Center Projects, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Official Website, August 18, 2026
What Shapiro’s new data center order does — and doesn’t — force developers to do, Katie Meyer, Spotlight PA,
Candidate Positions:
With the November election approaching, we believe voters should have an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about this emerging issue. We have invited candidates appearing on our area's November ballot to provide a brief statement describing their position on data center development in Pennsylvania.
- Mark Pinsley (Candidate PA Senate 16) - Substack article about data centers - No Bonds, No Data Center - Mark Pinsley
Background Information
What Is a Data Center?
Data centers are facilities containing computer servers and related equipment used to store, process, and transmit digital information. They support services that most of us use every day, including websites, streaming services, online banking, cloud storage, business applications, and increasingly, artificial intelligence.
While data centers vary considerably in size, the newest large-scale and AI-focused facilities can require substantial amounts of electricity, specialized cooling systems, backup power, telecommunications infrastructure, and large sites.
Suggested resources:
- U.S. Department of Energy — Data centers and energy use
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Electricity generation and demand
- PJM Interconnection — Regional electric grid information
Why Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has several characteristics that make it attractive for data center development, including available land, existing energy resources and infrastructure, proximity to major population centers, and access to the PJM regional electric grid.
As a result, data center development is becoming an important economic-development, energy and land-use issue for state and local governments.
Potential Benefits
Supporters of data center development point to potential benefits that may include:
- Significant private investment and construction activity
- Construction and permanent employment
- Increased local and state tax revenues
- Development or improvement of energy and telecommunications infrastructure
- Reuse or redevelopment of industrial properties
- Strengthening Pennsylvania's role in the growing technology and artificial-intelligence economy
The actual economic benefit can vary substantially from project to project, making the details of individual proposals important.
Why the Lehigh Valley Is a Target for Data‑Center Development
The Lehigh Valley’s geography and infrastructure make it a high‑interest region:
- Fiber connectivity: Routes between New York City, Philadelphia, and major cloud hubs run through the Valley.
- Transportation access: I‑78, Route 22, Route 309, and Route 33 provide ideal logistics corridors.
- Industrial zoning: Many townships have large parcels zoned for high‑intensity uses.
- Electrical capacity: PPL’s regional infrastructure supports large‑load facilities.
- Redevelopment opportunities: Former manufacturing, distribution and warehouse sites are being repositioned for higher‑value uses.
Questions and Community Concerns
As proposals are considered, communities throughout Pennsylvania and elsewhere are asking questions about:
- Electricity: How much power will a facility require, and who pays for new generation, transmission and other infrastructure?
- Utility rates: Could large new electricity demands affect residential and business customers?
- Water: How much water will be required for cooling, and where will it come from?
- Environment: What are the potential effects on air emissions, water resources and surrounding land?
- Noise: What noise may be generated by cooling equipment, generators and other operations?
- Land use and zoning: Where should very large data centers be located, and how much authority should municipalities have over their development?
- Jobs: How many construction and permanent jobs will be created, and will local workers benefit?
- Taxes and incentives: What public incentives are being offered, and what will communities receive in return?
- Transparency: At what point should residents learn about a proposed project and have an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process?
What Is Pennsylvania Doing?
In 2026, Governor Josh Shapiro introduced the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards for data centers seeking Commonwealth support.
The standards focus on four major areas:
- Energy affordability
- Transparency and community engagement
- Workforce and economic development
- Environmental protection
Among other provisions, the standards call for developers to address the additional electricity required by their projects and costs associated with connecting those projects to the electric system.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is also considering legislation addressing data center development, including proposals involving zoning and local authority, water consumption, energy requirements, consumer protections and state incentives.
Government resources:
- Pennsylvania GRID Standards
- Pennsylvania General Assembly — Data Center Legislation
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
- PJM Interconnection
Data Centers in Our Region
Information about proposed or planned data centers in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities will be posted here, including links to municipal documents, planning or zoning proceedings, developer information and reliable news coverage.
