New York becomes first US state to impose a data center moratorium
New York became the first state in the U. to impose a statewide moratorium on new data centers today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order pausing state environmental permits for large facilities for up to a year. 62 took effect on signing and covers hyperscale data centers that draw 50 [...
Key Takeaways
- 62 took effect on signing and covers hyperscale data centers that draw 50 megawatts of power or more.
While it's in force, the state Department of Environmental Conservation will not issue discretionary permits that have not already been deemed complete.
- " The year gives regulators time to write rules for an industry that has outrun them.
Hochul directed the Department of Public Service to produce a Generic Environmental Impact Statement, a review expected to run up to a year, that will set consistent standards for judging a data center's effect on energy demand, water use and quality and air quality.
- The framework also pushes prevailing wage, project labor agreements, local hiring and apprenticeships on data center construction.
- The order also lets Hochul avoid a decision on legislation.
State lawmakers passed the Responsible Data Center Development Act in June, but the governor has not signed it.
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Stats & Key Facts
- #Hochul told Empire State Development to publish a Community Investment Framework within 60 days, giving towns and counties a template for negotiating benefits from developers, from local infrastructure and child care funding to direct payments.
- #4 billion data center proposed in Genesee County has drawn heavy local opposition and the kind of project the order can reach, an aide told Axios .
SiliconANGLE UPDATED 18:27 EDT / JULY 14 2026 AI New York becomes first US state to impose a data center moratorium by Duncan Riley New York became the first state in the U. to impose a statewide moratorium on new data centers today after Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order pausing state environmental permits for large facilities for up to a year. 62 took effect on signing and covers hyperscale data centers that draw 50 megawatts of power or more.
While it's in force, the state Department of Environmental Conservation will not issue discretionary permits that have not already been deemed complete. Hochul cast the pause as a response to the computing demand unleashed by artificial intelligence, which she said threatens to push up electricity bills and drain the state's energy and water supplies. Proposals for large facilities have piled up across New York, each one capable of consuming enormous amounts of power and water to run and cool thousands of servers.
"As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it's my responsibility to take action and lead," Hochul said in announcing the order . "New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too. " The year gives regulators time to write rules for an industry that has outrun them.
For more details please read the original article at SiliconANGLE AI.
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