Gov. Hochul enacts moratorium on data center construction in New York

Gov. Hochul enacts moratorium on data center construction in New York

News ClipNBC New York·NY·7/15/2026

Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a temporary moratorium on data center construction in New York, making it the first state to do so. This action aims to protect New Yorkers and the state's power grid, though critics argue it could harm competitiveness. The executive order is less restrictive than a bill passed by state lawmakers.

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Gov: New York State Government, Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Legislature
New York has become the first state to put a moratorium on building massive data centers. It’s not permanent, but critics say it could make the state less competitive, and the tech industry calls it a job killer. But Hochul’s order is actually less restrictive than a bill passed by state lawmakers that still sits unsigned on her desk. The governor said the order was done to protect New Yorkers and the state’s power grid. NBC New York’s Chris Glorioso reports.