{
  "id": 2051359,
  "title": "Should data centre developers be more accountable? Pennsylvania's Governor thinks so",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/should-data-centre-developers-be-more-accountable-pennsylvanias-2051359",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-19T19:17:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2026/08/20/ai-data-center-construction-pennsylvania/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who is considered a frontrunner for the 2028 presidential race, has expressed his desire to impose stricter regulations on data centre developers. On Tuesday, Shapiro issued an executive order imposing more stringent restrictions on these developers, requiring them to obtain local approval and provide their own power source, as well as ensuring compliance with strict environmental standards.\n\nShapiro specifically criticized data centre developers as \"predators\" and \"bullies,\" emphasizing that Pennsylvanians have the right to object to unwanted AI data centre projects and block developers who fail to address community concerns. He highlighted that the new executive order mandates developers to generate and pay for their own power, rather than passing electricity costs onto consumers, and to commit to transparency by securing local approval.\n\nThe governor's stance on data centre development comes amid growing concerns about the environmental impact and rising electricity costs associated with the proliferation of data centres across the country. In an interview with MeidasTouch, Shapiro described some data centre developers as \"sneaky\" and admitted that many companies lack clear end-user plans or strategies for generating electricity.\n\nShapiro's recent endorsement of Microsoft's power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy, which involves restarting the closed nuclear reactor Three Mile Island Unit 1, demonstrates his unwavering support for the project despite safety concerns. He maintains that the deal will not strain the energy grid and emphasizes the importance of addressing the public's opposition, as evidenced by a recent Gallup poll showing that seven in ten Americans are against data centres being built near their homes.",
  "summary": "Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro , who is widely expected to run for the White House in 2028, has said he wants to make data centre developers more accountable. On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Governor issued an executive order that he said would put more restrictions on the developers. Reports indicate that Pennsylvania has at least 100 active data centres. \"If they want to even…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Should data centre developers be more accountable? Pennsylvania's Governor thinks so",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/should-data-centre-developers-be-more-accountable-pennsylvanias",
        "published": "2026-08-19T19:17:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity on data centers, calls for construction pause",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/pennsylvania-gubernatorial-candidate-stacy-garrity-on-data-centers",
        "published": "2026-08-19T23:45:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}