Gov. Hochul Once Resisted a Data Center Pause. Now it’s Central to Her Campaign.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul reversed her earlier opposition to a data center pause and announced a year-long moratorium on large-scale facilities. The moratorium is intended to give the state time to develop regulations addressing data centers’ electricity demand, water use, environmental impacts and community benefits, while Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman opposes the policy.
Gov. Kathy Hochul initially rejected an outright pause on large-scale data centers but reversed course two months later, announcing a year-long moratorium through an executive order. The pause covers facilities requiring at least 50 megawatts and is intended to support a statewide environmental impact review examining energy demand, water use, noise and other effects. New York has about 30 pending applications under consideration.
Hochul has made the moratorium a central issue in her reelection campaign, arguing that data centers should provide substantial benefits to host communities and either bring their own power or pay a premium for electricity. Republican opponent Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, says the policy could discourage businesses and slow artificial-intelligence innovation. The state Legislature separately approved a broader moratorium covering projects using at least 20 megawatts, but Hochul had not yet decided whether to sign or veto that bill.