Hochul drums up support for data center moratorium
New York Governor Kathy Hochul convened a roundtable in Albany to discuss her recent executive order imposing up to a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center construction. The order aims to regulate facilities and provide resources to local governments. The initiative faces concerns over natural resource use and economic impact, as well as pushback from industry leaders and political opponents.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul met with stakeholders in Albany to discuss her executive order, which includes up to a one-year moratorium on the construction of new large-scale data centers. The governor stated that the order is intended to provide the state with time to regulate these facilities and to offer local governments resources to maximize benefits from future data center developments.
The roundtable included diverse perspectives from local government leaders, the agricultural sector, and utility advocates. Discussions highlighted mounting concerns about data centers' extensive use of natural resources, their potential impact on other economic development projects—such as Micron’s semiconductor plant in Onondaga County—and questions surrounding long-term job creation.
The executive order has encountered significant opposition from various fronts. Industry leaders have expressed concerns regarding the potential negative effects a one-year delay could have on New York's competitive position in artificial intelligence development. Additionally, Governor Hochul's political opponents, including Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, have voiced their disapproval of the measure.