{
  "id": 1767680,
  "title": "Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro cracks down on data centers, says speculators are 'scaring our communities'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/pennsylvania-gov-josh-shapiro-cracks-down-on-data-centers-says",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-18T18:17:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-josh-shapiro-data-centers-views-order-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has issued a stern warning to data center developers, accusing them of scaring and bullying local communities with incomplete proposals. Shapiro, who sees this as a threat to the character of the state, stated that only five data centers have the necessary permits to begin operations. He emphasized that speculators are creating aggressive pressure on township officials and refusing to listen to the people of Pennsylvania. The governor's announcement comes as both parties in the US are seeking to rein in incentives for data center development, following public dissent across the country. New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently imposed a statewide moratorium. Shapiro's order immediately removes data centers from fast-track permitting and grants local communities an effective veto over a project's permits. He criticized a proposal that plans to build atop local baseball fields, calling it an example of the inappropriate locations being targeted.",
  "summary": "\"These speculators are nevertheless scaring our communities — being aggressive with township officials,\" Gov. Josh Shapiro said of developers.",
  "key_points": [
    "Governor Josh Shapiro targets data centers, accusing speculators of scaring communities.",
    "Only five data centers have permits to begin operations in Pennsylvania.",
    "Shapiro grants local communities veto power over data center permits."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}