New York Sen. Kristen Gonzalez Pushes Stronger Data Center Regulations
New York state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez discussed the state’s response to rapidly expanding AI data centers, including Gov. Kathy Hochul’s one-year pause on permits for the largest facilities. Gonzalez is advocating for the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which would impose another one-year moratorium and require environmental reviews, public engagement, transparency and community benefits.
State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez said New York’s one-year executive moratorium on permits for the largest data centers was an important first step, but argued that additional legislation is needed to address the facilities’ energy, water and environmental impacts. Her Responsible Data Center Development Act, which passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan support, would require an environmental impact report, public participation and community benefits before data centers could proceed.
Gonzalez described a statewide tour of proposed and active data center sites, conducted with Food & Water Watch and environmental justice groups, during which she heard support for construction jobs as well as concerns about local control and infrastructure. She cited 37 projects in the New York Independent System Operator queue that could add more than 12,000 megawatts of demand to an aging grid.
The senator said she hopes Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign the bill after discussions over possible chapter amendments. She also criticized technology companies for publicly supporting regulation while lobbying against legislation concerning AI, privacy, surveillance and environmental protections, and said she plans to pursue broader AI and data center rules in the next legislative session.