Full interview with Asm. John McDonald on a data center moratorium proposal at the NYS Capital
New York State Assemblyman John McDonald discusses a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development in New York. He believes a pause is necessary to allow the Public Service Commission to assess energy and water resource demands. The proposal aims to address concerns about the impact of data centers on the state's infrastructure and ratepayers.
New York State Assemblyman John McDonald discussed a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development in the state, which is currently under consideration at the NYS Capital. While he expressed a preference for a shorter pause of six to nine months, McDonald views a one-year moratorium as sufficient to address growing concerns.
McDonald emphasized that the rapid expansion of the data center industry, including hyperscalers and chip companies like Nvidia, is creating significant demand for energy and water resources, potentially straining existing supplies and driving up costs for ratepayers. He highlighted the need for the Public Service Commission (PSC) to conduct a thorough inventory of the current situation and evaluate the best interests of New York's residents.
The Assemblyman also acknowledged the state's substantial investments in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the Capital Region with entities like GlobalFoundries, initiatives supported by figures such as Senator Schumer, President Biden, and President Trump. McDonald hopes the PSC will proactively undertake the necessary assessments, potentially rendering the full one-year moratorium unnecessary if questions are answered before the governor's decision.