HARRISBURG – Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) issued the following statement regarding responsible, transparent, and effective data center policies in Pennsylvania:
“A year ago, Governor Shapiro proudly announced his administration was ‘already all in on AI’ and ‘the future of AI is going to run right here through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.’ His comments today seem aimed at erasing his remarks from last year and underscore how afraid he’s become over his previous record of embracing data centers, only to find out how politically intense the proposals have become. He’s not seriously engaged on this issue, other than what we have seen on his data center-driven social media.
“Data center transparency is of chief importance, which is why we took action on this front as part of the 2026-27 state budget passed by the Senate. While the Senate also passed legislation to revoke the data center sales tax exemption, the House proceeded to amend the measure into something unrecognizable. In addition, work is also being undertaken to position pieces of legislation for further action this Fall. We strongly believe communities need to have the ability to weigh in on what is best for their residents and are open to further discussions, including considering measures to allow for moratorium decisions to be made at the local level.
“The issue of data center development has no doubt taken a center stage here in Pennsylvania. We want all residents to have their voices heard when it comes to this important issue. As our world continues to embrace greater access to technological advancements, the issues of energy development and national security also go hand in hand. Together, I am confident we can work to safeguard our communities, foster economic growth, and build a stronger Pennsylvania for future generations to come.”