New York Governor Hochul enacts statewide data center moratorium
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted the state's first-ever statewide data center moratorium, pausing environmental permits for large data centers drawing 50 or more megawatts of power for one year. This action aims to provide the legislature with time to develop new laws to safeguard the electrical grid, environment, and local communities. The moratorium will not affect projects that have already secured permits, though a controversial project near Ithaca is noted as being among the 25 proposed data centers in the state.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on Tuesday, implementing the state's first statewide data center moratorium. This one-year pause specifically targets environmental permits for large data centers consuming 50 or more megawatts of power, with the intention of giving the state legislature an opportunity to draft new laws.
The governor emphasized that the moratorium is designed to protect New York's electrical grid, environment, and local communities from the impacts of data center development. She also urged lawmakers to consider repealing sales tax exemptions currently benefiting data centers. The order clarifies that projects that have already obtained their necessary permits will not be affected.
Market intelligence firm Cleanview reports that there are 25 proposed data centers across New York State, including a particularly contentious project situated near Ithaca.