Trump comments on New York's data center moratorium, suggests benefits for other states like Alabama
Former President Donald Trump commented that New York's one-year moratorium on data center construction is a "terrible decision" that will cause data center development, jobs, and tax revenue to shift to states like Alabama. The article notes that multiple local governments in Alabama have also passed temporary moratoriums or increased regulations on data centers.
New York has become the first state to enact a one-year moratorium on data center construction. Former President Donald Trump criticized this decision, attributing it to New York Governor Kathy Hochul and deeming it a "terrible decision" driven by political reasons. Trump asserted that this policy would lead to data center companies, jobs, and substantial tax revenue, which he termed "liquid gold," being redirected to other states such as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and Arizona.
The article highlights Alabama's context, noting that several local governments within the state have recently imposed their own temporary moratoriums or heightened regulations on data centers due to concerns over water and electricity strain. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), a prospective 2026 gubernatorial candidate, has publicly defended data center projects, emphasizing their potential for economic growth in Alabama.
Opponents of data centers frequently cite the strain these facilities place on local water and electricity resources as a primary concern. The National Conference of State Legislatures indicates that similar data center bans are currently under consideration in 15 other states across the nation.