New York Data Center Moratorium

The New York Legislature is poised to pass a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data centers, a measure sponsored by state Senator Kristen Gonzalez>>> and Assemblymember Didi Barrett>>>. This legislation, if signed by Governor Kathy Hochul>>>, would make United States — New York (state)>>> the first state to enact a statewide ban, driven by concerns over energy grid strain, electricity costs for ratepayers, and environmental impacts. The bill requires the Unknown — Department of Environmental Quality>>> to prepare an environmental impact report and the United States — Public Service Commission>>> to develop new requirements for data centers, including energy efficiency standards and a new electricity rate. While advocates like Anna Kelly>>> and Food & Water Watch>>> support the pause to plan for the state's energy future, the tech industry and business groups such as the Long Island Association>>> and UK Power Networks>>> oppose it, arguing it would harm the state's economy and destabilize the regulatory environment. Governor Kathy Hochul>>> has expressed skepticism, viewing land use decisions as local, similar to Governor Janet Mills>>> of Maine who vetoed a similar moratorium.