CONTACT: Vanessa Lynch, [email protected], 757.277.3729
Harrisburg, PA – On Tuesday, August 18th, Governor Shapiro released his GRID Data Center Executive Order, a meaningful step toward protecting families from the impacts of data center buildout.
In response, Moms Clean Air Force’s Pennsylvania Campaign Coordinator Vanessa Lynch released the following statement:
“I applaud Governor Shapiro for listening to the concerns of families across the commonwealth who have been overwhelmed by data center proposals that do not prioritize protecting the air our children breathe. Too many of these proposed data centers would rely on hundreds of onsite backup diesel and gas generators and other dirty fossil fuel power sources that create massive amounts of harmful air pollution. Families have been calling for guardrails that center community choice and clean air, and this executive order is a step forward.
“Clean energy and battery storage must be at the center, not the periphery of our planning, to ensure long-term energy affordability and health protections for families.
“While this Executive Order is a step forward, health protective data center safeguards for Pennsylvania families will need to be accomplished through clear legislative leadership. Passing laws that prioritize clean, renewable energy and make sure data centers pay their own way for their energy needs while protecting families from air pollution are the best way to ensure durable safeguards.”
“The Governor’s Executive Order holds data centers accountable to pay their own way and protects families from increasing electricity rates, which have hit families hard. Families have already seen a 20% increase in electricity bills in Pennsylvania over the last two years alone.
“The real test of this Executive Order will be what it accomplishes for current and future generations to prioritize people over polluters. We look forward to the opportunity to work alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to increase the safeguards families rely on to address air pollution in their communities.”