Hochul, AOC stump on data center ban common ground
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appeared together in East Fishkill to oppose data center construction and support stronger protections for communities. East Fishkill officials approved a three-year ban on a proposed data center, while Hochul supports a statewide one-year moratorium and Ocasio-Cortez said she wants similar protections at the federal level.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined forces in East Fishkill, New York, to oppose data center development, framing the issue around protecting residents’ water, energy, air and local decision-making. The appearance also served both politicians’ broader political goals as Hochul seeks support among progressive voters and Ocasio-Cortez campaigns for Democrats across the state.
The site of the appearance, Fishkill Farms, would have been near a proposed data center before East Fishkill officials approved a three-year development ban in June. Hochul has backed a one-year statewide moratorium, while Ocasio-Cortez said she wants to pursue comparable protections nationwide. Ocasio-Cortez also criticized Hochul’s Republican opponent, Bruce Blakeman, accusing him of supporting unrestricted data center growth and reduced protections for communities.