Where Governor Candidates Garrity And Shapiro Stand On Data Centers
- 7 hours ago
- 1 min read
Republican Stacy Garrity is trying to differentiate herself from incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro on something that’s top of mind for many Pennsylvanians — data center development.
A review of their positions shows at least two distinct differences, but also many blank spots where the candidates have not taken public stances.
Neither candidate has offered detailed plans for regulating data centers. Still, they have taken somewhat different positions on issues such as a moratorium on development and offering economic incentives.
Shapiro favors voluntary environmental, workforce development, and energy standards in exchange for incentives and has been silent on a moratorium. Garrity hasn't released a detailed plan, but says she favors mandatory rules not tied to climate and a pause on data center development.
At the same time, both candidates have also accused each other of flip-flopping on their support for data centers.
Garrity has said Shapiro was data centers’ “biggest cheerleader” until recently.
“He claims to be putting guard rails on an industry he was championing just a few months ago,” Garrity said at a data center listening session in Montgomery County last month. “It's really a massive flip-flop, plain and simple.”
Shapiro has not commented directly on Garrity’s positions on data centers, but a spokesperson for his campaign said Garrity has a “long record of supporting completely unregulated data center development.”
Pennsylvanians across the state are fighting against proposed data centers, citing their impacts on energy prices, water availability, and property values. A poll of Pennsylvania adults conducted this spring found 64% view data centers as a crisis or a problem.