North Country lawmaker calls on Hochul to veto data center moratorium

New York State lawmakers recently passed the Responsible Data Center Development Act, a bill that would impose a one-year statewide moratorium on data center projects exceeding 20 megawatts. The legislation also mandates a DEC environmental impact analysis, establishes energy efficiency regulations, sets labor standards for construction, and requires companies to invest in host communities.

Governor Kathy Hochul is currently weighing her decision to sign or veto the bill, indicating she wants to ensure New York communities secure the best deals for data center development. If signed, New York would be the first state to enact such a temporary ban, though other states have considered similar measures, with Maine's governor recently vetoing a moratorium.

Watertown-based Assemblyman Scott Gray is urging Governor Hochul to veto the bill, arguing that it sends negative signals to developers and that the legislation is duplicative of an ongoing New York State Public Service Commission study into the energy grid's capacity for data center development. Gray supports local control over data center decisions, proposing a separate bill to ensure developers cover costs without burdening ratepayers and to establish building and setback rules.

The issue is contentious, with a recent Gallup survey indicating widespread public concern over water usage, high energy demand, and potential electricity cost increases. In Massena, a related data center project proposed by North Country Collocation Services has faced significant opposition from groups like Mohawks United in Safety and Health (MUSH), who cite potential environmental and water quality impacts. MUSH advocates for a total local ban on data centers, viewing the proposed one-year statewide moratorium as insufficient.