News Stories
Sponsored by Earth Etch. Regulatory insight and compliance solutions for today’s energy markets.
How PA Data Centers Developers Can Apply for the ‘Fast Track Program’
As reported previously in his budget address last month Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania called for what he aptly coined “GRID standards’ -Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development standards that aim to address stalled permitting matters that could include the proliferation of data center developments across the state.
In specifically addressing data center growth in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during his budget address, the Governor noted that developers must “commit to bringing their own power generation” or pay for new generation they’ll need — a principle designed to alleviate local concerns that data centers will siphon too much electricity from the grid and lead to higher costs and instability.
He also said developers must commit to “strict transparency standards and direct community engagement,” hire and train local workers, and “commit to the highest standards of environmental protection,” singling out water conservation. These are all concerns that have been raised by local residents of the many communities where data centers are being planned.
Subsequently during Jessica Shirley from the state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary budget hearing, she said that under Shapiro’s proposed GRID initiative, developers “using the highest standards that are available” will get access to the Fast Track Program.
The Fast Track program was created by Shapiro in 2024 via executive order and ensures quicker state attention and faster permitting for projects of particular significance. The PA Permit Fast Track Program and Guidance were authorized by Executive Order as part of Governor Shapiro’s permit reform initiatives, including the PAyback Program that refunds fees for delayed permits.
The PA Permit Fast Track Program streamlines permitting for high-impact economic development and infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania that require multiple permits from different Commonwealth agencies. The Office of Transformation & Opportunity provides inter-agency coordination and transparency for project sponsors and the public alike.
