Shapiro Order Shifts Grid Upgrade Costs to Data Centers
What's documented Text of Gov. Shapiro's executive order plus on-record quotes from Shapiro and Pennsylvania Utility Law Project attorney Patrick Cicero at the Aug. 18 press conference.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order requiring data center developers to pay for their own grid infrastructure upgrades rather than spreading those costs across all ratepayers, the current practice. The order also revokes fast-tracked permitting for developers who don't meet new GRID standards, and comes as consumer advocates warn that rising data center demand is compounding an affordability crisis already driving disconnections.
- Under the order, data center developers must pay for grid infrastructure upgrades instead of having those costs "socialized" among all ratepayers, the current practice.
- Developers must sign consent orders agreeing to GRID standards, including "bring your own power" and 32% renewables by 2035, or lose fast-track permitting.
- Pennsylvania Utility Law Project attorney Patrick Cicero said nearly 290,000 PA residents had power shut off for nonpayment in 2025, a 14% increase over 2024.
- PJM Interconnection says new data centers make up 94% of projected new grid demand over the next four years across its 13-state footprint.