N.Y. Assembly speaker on 1-year data center moratorium: 'We intend to pass it'
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced intentions to pass a one-year moratorium on data center construction across the state. This bill, reworked from an initial three-year proposal, aims to allow the state to study the environmental and community impacts of data centers. The legislative push is fueled by concerns over high energy costs and local opposition to projects like the proposed Stream Data Center in Alabama, Genesee County.
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced that lawmakers intend to pass a bill enacting a one-year moratorium on data center construction statewide. The proposal, a reworked version of an earlier three-year moratorium bill, aims to provide the state with time to study the potential environmental and community impacts of these facilities.
Speaker Heastie indicated confidence in the bill's passage, noting it was an omnibus bill resulting from discussions between legislative houses and stakeholders. The primary driver behind the moratorium is concern over the significant power consumption of data centers, especially as residents face escalating energy costs. The legislative effort comes as a massive $19.4 billion Stream Data Center project in the town of Alabama, Genesee County, faces strong local opposition due to environmental and energy concerns.
Khara Boender of the Data Center Coalition warned that such a moratorium could deter data center development in New York, while Governor Kathy Hochul has previously expressed a desire for development that creates long-term jobs. Lawmakers have a limited window to act, with the legislative session nearing its end.