Hochul highlights data center permit pause, plans to protect utility customers
New York has paused discretionary state environmental permits for new hyperscale data centers for up to one year while officials develop rules addressing electricity demand, water use and impacts on host communities. East Fishkill separately adopted a three-year data center moratorium amid concerns about a proposed facility requiring up to one gigawatt of power.
Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted New York’s temporary pause on discretionary environmental permits for new hyperscale data centers during a roundtable at Fishkill Farms in Dutchess County. The state is using the pause to develop policies addressing grid impacts, water resources, utility costs and community benefits, while considering requirements that data centers supply their own power or pay more for grid service.
Hochul cited East Fishkill, where residents have raised concerns about a proposed one-gigawatt facility and potential effects on utility bills, wells, aquifers and quality of life. The East Fishkill Town Board unanimously adopted a separate three-year moratorium. U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pat Ryan, Assemblymember Didi Barrett and local stakeholders also called for safeguards and stronger community protections, while the state weighs additional regulations and proposed changes to tax exemptions.