Hochul holds roundtable in Kenmore following executive order pausing data centers
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul held a roundtable in Kenmore to discuss a recently enacted statewide executive order that pauses approval for new hyperscale data centers until July 2027. The moratorium, which targets facilities using 50 megawatts or more, was influenced by local opposition and concerns about environmental and energy impacts. Local leaders and residents, including Tonawanda Supervisor John Flynn, supported the pause to allow for proper study and analysis.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul convened a roundtable discussion in Kenmore to address a statewide executive order she signed last week, which enacts a moratorium on new data center approvals until July 2027. The meeting, held at the Kenmore-Tonawanda municipal building, followed significant local opposition to a proposed data center at the former Tonawanda Coke site.
Residents and environmental groups, such as the Clean Air Coalition of WNY, advocated for the moratorium, urging the state to use the pause to study the environmental and energy impacts of these facilities. Tonawanda Supervisor John Flynn emphasized the need for proper study to understand the community impacts. Governor Hochul highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that powering over 30 proposed projects statewide would overwhelm the current energy infrastructure.
The executive order specifically targets hyperscale data centers, defined as those consuming 50 megawatts or more of electricity. This statewide action comes shortly after the city of North Tonawanda independently passed its own moratorium on AI data centers.