On Aug. 18, 2026, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order that he described as creating the “strictest data center guardrails in the country.” But Pennsylvanians should ask an obvious question: Why now?

For months, this administration has fast-tracked and encouraged the data center rush across Pennsylvania. An executive order in 2024 by Shapiro allowed state permits to be fast-tracked ahead of local approvals. This resulted in the loss of forests and habitat due to land being cleared for projects that may never get local approval. Earlier this year, Amazon Web Services officials and Shapiro’s administration were discussing how to overcome residents who were dismissed as wanting to “slow us down for sport.” In 2025, Shapiro stood beside powerful interests and celebrated massive data center investment in our commonwealth.

So where did this executive order come from? All of you! After protests, letters, public meetings, phone calls and relentless pressure from ordinary citizens, we are told the governor has suddenly heard us “loud and clear.” He has said Pennsylvania will not be bullied by developers or bulldozed by big-tech lawyers. Those are strong words. But words are not enough.

This executive order did not happen because the concerns of families, local officials, farmers, taxpayers and communities were finally discovered. Those concerns have been clear all along: pressure on the electric grid, water use, noise, pollution, loss of local control, tax breaks for some of the wealthiest corporations in the world, and the threat of communities being reshaped or simply taken over.

The timing tells the story. As opposition has grown and voters have become more skeptical, data centers have become a political liability. Suddenly, the administration that welcomed this development wave wants to look like a watchdog. Pennsylvanians deserve better than election-season guardrails. A recent Quinnipiac University poll has Shapiro leading State Treasurer Stacy Garrity 53% to 40%. Garrity (who is as big a supporter – maybe more so than Shapiro) gained momentum when she announced, if she is elected, she would put a pause on the data center development.

If Shapiro truly believes these companies should not receive special treatment while gouging communities, then his executive order should do more than manage the damage. It should halt the rush.

Pennsylvania needs a real moratorium on data center development. Other states have taken stronger action. In New York, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul last month signed a moratorium on data center development, while in Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott paused data center projects this month pending an audit. That is tougher than guardrails. Guardrails may sound responsible, but they are not the same as hitting the E-stop button.

Citizens did not fight this hard for a carefully worded executive order and press release. They fought because they love their towns, their farms, their neighborhoods and their children’s future. If Shapiro has truly heard the people of Pennsylvania, he should prove it — not with political cover, not with weak promises, but with a moratorium strong enough to protect every community in this commonwealth.

Sam Burleigh

Anthony Township

Montour County