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ARTICLE · 24 AUGUST 2026

Pennsylvania’s Data Center Executive Order Ties Compliance With State's GRID Requirements To Streamlined Development

Ballard Spahr LLP
Ballard Spahr LLP
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Ballard Spahr LLP

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Pennsylvania's Executive Order 2026-05 fundamentally reshapes data center development by making the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Requirements mandatory rather than voluntary. What does this mean for developers with projects already in the pipeline, and how does Pennsylvania's approach compare to similar executive actions in New York, Nebraska, Louisiana, and Texas?

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector
Matthew N. McClure
Matthew N. McClure
Christopher A. Jones
Christopher A. Jones
Erin M. Carter
Erin M. Carter
Nathan Farris
Nathan Farris
Bertilio "Lio" Correa
Bertilio "Lio" Correa
Author LinkedIn connections

Summary

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05 this week, converting Pennsylvania’s voluntary GRID Requirements into binding conditions for streamlined permitting and tax incentives related to data center development projects—joining New York, Louisiana, Nebraska, and Texas in a wave of gubernatorial action reshaping data center development nationwide.

The Upshot

  • All data center projects have been removed from the PA Permit Fast Track Program and only Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID)-certified projects may participate going forward.
  • Data center projects with an anticipated peak electrical demand of 25 MW or more will be required to execute a template Consent Order and Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection agreeing to comply with the GRID Requirements or face significant permitting delays.

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