Tom Steyer walks back support for data center moratorium
Tom Steyer, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in California, has offered conflicting statements regarding his support for a temporary moratorium on new data center construction. While he initially told Greenpeace he supported a ban until new ratepayer and sustainability rules were enacted, his campaign later clarified he is not calling for a ban, though his broader commitment to strict regulations remains.
Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist and gubernatorial hopeful in California, has presented a nuanced, and at times contradictory, stance on a potential data center moratorium in the state. In a candidate questionnaire released by the environmental group Greenpeace, Steyer indicated support for a temporary ban on new data center construction, contingent on California enacting new ratepayer protections and sustainability rules for what he termed "AI factories."
However, earlier in the year, Steyer had conveyed to POLITICO that he did not believe a moratorium was necessary for California. Instead, he emphasized a commitment to rigorously enforcing two primary rules: preventing increases in electric rates for consumers and prohibiting water theft. When asked to reconcile these differing statements, Steyer's campaign spokesperson, Kevin Liao, clarified that Steyer is not advocating for a temporary ban on new data center construction, while affirming that his overarching position in favor of holding these facilities to strict ratepayer and sustainability protections remains unchanged.