New York Legislature Passes 1-Year Ban on New 20-MW Data Centers, Awaiting Hochul Decision
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Jun 5
New York Legislature Passes 1-Year Ban on New 20-MW Data Centers, Awaiting Hochul Decision
3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Jun 5
Summary
A one-year moratorium on new large data centers cleared the New York legislature, setting up what would be the first statewide ban of its kind if Governor Kathy Hochul signs it.
The bill targets projects with peak demand of at least 20 megawatts and orders the state environmental agency to study their electricity, water and land use, plus pollution and energy-price effects.
Developers would also have to fund and hold a public hearing at least three months before a project can win approval, adding scrutiny during the pause.
Hochul has until December to sign or veto the measure, which was shortened from an earlier three-year proposal but still drew industry criticism as too broad.
The debate comes as New York grid operator NYISO reviews 24 data-center proposals totaling more than 9,000 megawatts and local opposition grows around projects including a 180-megawatt Albany plan.
Can New York's economy grow if it bans the data centers powering the global AI boom?
With data centers consuming vast energy and water, how can communities protect resources from the demands of AI?
Are communities trading essential resources like water and power for the tech industry's empty promises of local jobs?
New York’s One-Year Data Center Moratorium: Energy, Environment, and Economic Stakes in 2026
Overview
New York's proposed data center moratorium has passed the State Legislature and now awaits the Governor's decision. The bill, shaped by Senator Liz Krueger and supported by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, aims to pause new large data center developments. This pause is intended to address concerns from residential communities about rising utility bills and to create time for establishing comprehensive operational rules. By involving key lawmakers and responding to public worries, the legislation seeks to ensure that future data center growth is better regulated and more responsive to community needs.