Pennsylvania State Treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity has called for a pause on new data center projects in the state. During a roundtable discussion on Monday (June 8) with the New Cumberland Fire Department and local officials, Garrity expressed concerns about the environmental impact and resource strain associated with data centers. She criticized Governor Josh Shapiro for his recent "voluntary standards" for data center development, accusing him of being too lenient with developers.
Garrity's stance marks a shift from her previous support for the data center sector. She now advocates for a "total data center pause," arguing that communities need time to update zoning laws and ensure responsible development. She also called for the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office to investigate state deals with developers, emphasizing the need for transparency and clear regulations.
Data centers, which support technologies like artificial intelligence, have faced opposition across Pennsylvania due to environmental concerns. Garrity proposed that data centers should be restricted to industrial and brownfield sites, not residential areas, and that companies should bring their own water and energy generation.
Governor Shapiro recently introduced the "Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards" aimed at ensuring energy affordability, community transparency, and environmental protection. However, Garrity described Shapiro's actions as "flip-flops" from his earlier efforts to attract data centers to Pennsylvania.
The debate over data centers has become a focal point in the gubernatorial race, with Garrity using the issue to differentiate herself from Shapiro. As the election approaches, both candidates continue to address public concerns over the impact of data center developments.