Hochul Asked If She's Spoken To Building Trades After Amid Opposition To Data Center Construction
New York Governor Kathy Hochul addressed criticism from building trades regarding the state's one-year moratorium on data center construction. She stated that the moratorium is intended to ensure data center projects consider impacts on energy, water, and land, and to empower communities in future negotiations with developers.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was questioned during a press conference about the state's one-year moratorium on data center construction and the resulting criticism from building trades, who argue it is costing jobs. Hochul stated that she has had numerous conversations with building trades representatives, emphasizing the state's engagement with all affected groups regarding its policies.
She reiterated that the objective of the moratorium is to ensure responsible development in New York State, where projects are evaluated for their impact on energy, water, and land resources. Hochul explained that the one-year pause is intended to empower communities, giving them a better position to negotiate with data center companies. The state is also developing a community investment framework to guide these negotiations and encourage larger investments in transmission lines and the grid, which would also create future jobs.