Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued an executive order tightening data
center approvals: projects must obtain local government sign-off before seeking
state permits, meet water‑conservation standards, assume incremental electricity
costs and secure their own power supply. The order responds to a surge of
projects and local community complaints. New York has moved to pause major data
center environmental permits for up to one year; Texas Governor Greg Abbott,
previously pro-growth, has paused some new approvals and launched a review.
States cite mounting electricity, environmental and community pressures amid
rapid AI investment.
