New York State Legislature Passes One-Year Data Center Moratorium Bill
A bill proposing a one-year moratorium on data center development has passed the New York State Legislature and is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. The legislation seeks to address concerns about water usage, energy rates, and pollution associated with data centers. Local communities are urging the governor to sign the bill to allow time for regulation to catch up with rapid development.
The New York State Legislature has passed a bill proposing a one-year moratorium on data center development, which now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. The legislation aims to provide time for regulations to address the rapid growth of data centers and their associated concerns, including excessive water usage, potential energy rate increases, and pollution, particularly from fossil fuel-powered facilities.
Local residents, such as Rosanne Van Wie of Waverly, NY, and Ruth Yarrow of Ithaca, NY, are advocating for Governor Hochul to sign the bill, highlighting issues like deceptive job promises and strain on the electrical grid. They cite examples of communities like Ulysses, Newfield, and Dryden, which are either preventing data centers or considering outright bans. Yarrow emphasizes that the bill, if signed, would mark the nation's first statewide moratorium on data centers and mandate renewable energy goals and community benefits from technology companies.
Both residents are urging constituents to contact Governor Hochul to support the moratorium, which they believe is crucial for environmental protection and consumer well-being until adequate safeguards and sustainable technologies are developed.