New York lawmakers could vote on data center moratorium this week
New York lawmakers are considering the Responsible Data Center Development Act, an omnibus bill that includes a one-year moratorium on new data center construction for environmental impact studies. The bill also proposes labor and renewable energy standards. A vote could occur this week as the legislative session concludes.
New York state lawmakers are nearing a vote on the Responsible Data Center Development Act, an omnibus bill that has been reworked to propose a one-year moratorium on new data center construction, down from an initial three-year proposal. The legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, chair of the state Senate's Internet and Technology Committee, also includes provisions for environmental impact studies, labor standards, and renewable energy requirements.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie indicated comfort in passing the bill before the end of the legislative session, with Governor Kathy Hochul acknowledging the legislative efforts and emphasizing the need for communities to benefit while avoiding strain on power sources. However, the proposed moratorium faces opposition from entities such as the Genesee County Economic Development Center, whose president and CEO, Mark Masse, warned that it could jeopardize the proposed STREAM Data Centers Project at the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in the town of Alabama, costing the county nearly half a billion dollars in revenue over 30 years. The Data Center Coalition echoed concerns, stating that a statewide moratorium would deter investment and harm New York's economy by forcing projects to neighboring states.