Governor Hochul unveils data center framework, organizations want more say
Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a voluntary Community Investment Framework for New York municipalities to guide decisions on hyperscale data center proposals, following a prior moratorium announcement. However, nearly 100 organizations have criticized the framework, calling for more public feedback and a comprehensive environmental review. The framework aims to provide a 'toolbox' for communities willing to host data centers.
Governor Kathy Hochul introduced a voluntary Community Investment Framework designed to assist municipalities across New York State in evaluating proposals for hyperscale data centers. This initiative comes less than two months after the Governor announced a statewide data center moratorium.
Hochul described the framework as a crucial "toolbox" for communities that are amenable to hosting data centers, enabling them to maximize the economic and community benefits from such developments.
Despite the Governor's presentation, the framework has drawn criticism from nearly 100 organizations. These groups jointly wrote to Governor Hochul, asserting that the framework lacks sufficient public input and that a comprehensive environmental review should have been completed prior to its formulation and release.