STATEWIDE (May 27, 2026) – Clean Power PA Chair Katie Blume made the following statement after Governor Shapiro released details regarding his GRID Standards:

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“Clean Power PA welcomes Governor Shapiro’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards as an important step toward ensuring data center growth in Pennsylvania happens responsibly — with real protections for families, small businesses, and host communities.

“We’re especially encouraged that the GRID Standards connect data center growth to cleaner power over time — including clean firm energy requirements that ramp from 10% in 2027, to 14.5% in 2030, and 32% by 2035 — reflecting a basic reality: we will not meet surging demand affordably or reliably without bringing new clean energy online.

“Pennsylvanians are right to expect that massive new electricity users won’t drive up everyone else’s bills or strain a grid that’s already under pressure. The GRID Standards move the Commonwealth in the right direction by setting clear expectations for projects seeking state support: data centers should cover the full costs associated with their interconnection and load, and they should build, bring, or buy new electric capacity to match their growth — not shift costs onto ratepayers.

“We also appreciate that the Standards elevate common-sense requirements that communities have been demanding: transparency about who is behind a project, early and meaningful public engagement, and enforceable commitments around workforce and local economic benefits. If local communities decide — after a full and open process — to host major data center development, they deserve to know what’s being built, how it will affect local resources, and how developers will mitigate impacts like noise, water use, and air pollution.

“At the same time, GRID should be seen as a foundation — not the finish line. Because these standards apply to projects seeking state incentives, the next step must be legislative action to help ensure strong, binding protections apply across the board. Clean Power PA will continue working with partners and lawmakers to advance HB 1834 and other reforms that protect consumers from paying the costs of serving data centers, require large developers to contribute fairly to programs that help vulnerable families cover their energy bills, and encourage the clean energy investments needed to strengthen reliability.

“Pennsylvania can welcome new investment — but only if it’s done in a way that puts affordability, accountability, and clean energy at the center.”

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