Hochul Touts Data Center Pause at Long Island Roundtable

Governor Kathy Hochul visited Babylon Town Hall on Long Island to defend her recently enacted one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers. The executive order, which is the first of its kind in the nation, halts new construction of data centers consuming more than 50 megawatts of power. The state plans to use this pause to examine the projects' potential effects on utility bills, water resources, and grid reliability, aiming to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework.

During the roundtable, which included local elected officials, conservation advocates, farmers, and business representatives, Governor Hochul stressed her commitment to local control, stating that data center development ultimately depends on local community desires. Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer expressed strong support for the governor's initiative, highlighting the importance of a thorough review before making decisions that could significantly impact communities, the electric grid, and the environment.

The discussion unfolded amidst ongoing energy infrastructure debates on Long Island, including concerns over a battery storage facility in East Hampton linked to PFAS contamination and a federal lawsuit filed by the Suffolk County Water Authority. While Hochul refrained from commenting on the East Hampton situation directly, she indicated plans to seek legislation to eliminate sales-tax breaks for large data centers statewide. Furthermore, the Islip Town Board has scheduled a public hearing on its own local data center moratorium, aligning with the state's executive order.