Lawmakers urge Hochul to sign one-year data center moratorium as soon as possible
The New York State Senate passed a one-year moratorium on new data centers, and lawmakers are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it. Supporters say the pause will allow time to study environmental impacts on electric grids and water systems. Critics argue it removes local control and could harm economic growth.
The New York State Senate passed a one-year moratorium on new data centers during its final day of the 2026 legislative calendar. Following the passage, lawmakers are now pressing Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the legislation into law as quickly as possible.
State Senator Jeremy Zellner, speaking from River Road in the Town of Tonawanda, near the site of a proposed data center, championed the moratorium as a victory for his community. While he had hoped for a longer pause, Zellner stated that the one-year measure will facilitate a closer examination of potential environmental impacts, including strain on the electrical grid, water systems, and local infrastructure. He emphasized that projects of this magnitude warrant thorough scrutiny.
The bill received support from Assemblymember Jon Rivera and advocates from organizations like PUSH Buffalo and the Clean Air Coalition, who were scheduled to appear in Tonawanda to urge the governor's action. Conversely, critics of the moratorium express concerns that it undermines local decision-making authority and could negatively impact economic development within the state.