Senator George Borrello criticizes New York data center moratorium

Governor Kathy Hochul has implemented a one-year moratorium on new data centers in New York State through an executive order, citing environmental and "green energy" concerns related to high electricity consumption. This action, making New York the first state to enact such a measure, has drawn criticism from State Senator George Borrello of Chautauqua County.

Senator Borrello asserts that the moratorium is a political maneuver and an admission of Governor Hochul's failed energy policies, which have led to increased utility bills and insufficient power supply in the state. He highlighted that while the state legislature passed a similar moratorium bill in June, the Governor chose not to sign it, instead issuing an executive order that allows her to "pick and choose" which data centers will be permitted, thereby exercising political favoritism.

Economically, Borrello described the moratorium as "absolutely horrible," arguing it stifles progress, removes local control over development decisions, and puts New York at a disadvantage compared to other states like Virginia, which has lower electricity prices and significantly more data centers. He also suggested the move indirectly benefits countries like China, which he claims are behind negative propaganda against data centers to undermine US AI dominance. He concluded that the moratorium is a clear indictment of the state's energy strategy.