State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez urges Gov. Hochul to sign data center bill
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a data center moratorium bill before the end of the year. This bill aims to expand on an existing executive order by lowering the power consumption threshold for impacted data centers, establishing a new utility classification, mandating energy efficiency targets, and potentially requiring data centers to provide their own power. The business community opposes the bill, particularly its renewable energy requirements, while advocates argue it addresses gaps in the governor's initial order.
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, a Queens Democrat, has been touring New York to highlight local opposition to data centers and advocate for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a data center moratorium bill (S10642 / A11560). Gonzalez, who chairs the Senate Internet & Technology Committee, argues the bill, dubbed the "Responsible Data Center Development Act," would address gaps in the governor's previously enacted Executive Order #62 by targeting "hyperscale data centers" that are significantly larger than traditional facilities.
The proposed bill differs from the executive order in several key areas. While the EO applies to data centers using 50 MW or more, the bill would impact those consuming 20 MW or more. Furthermore, the bill mandates the New York State Department of Public Service to create a new utility classification for data centers and would require specific energy efficiency targets, potentially forcing data centers to generate their own power. Unlike the EO, which is a one-year pause affecting only new environmental permits, the bill would also impact existing data centers.
The New York State Business Council has strongly opposed the bill, issuing a memo that criticizes its provisions, particularly the requirement for data centers with a peak load of 5MW or larger to procure a significant portion of their electricity from renewable energy systems by 2030 and 2040. The Council argues that co-locating renewables would be infeasible for many locations. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman also voiced criticism against curbing data centers.
Governor Hochul faces a deadline at the end of the year to decide whether to sign the data moratorium bill into law.