Carson leads push for data center moratorium
New Hampshire Republicans, led by State Senate President Sharon Carson, are proposing a legislative moratorium on large-scale AI data centers due to concerns about the strain on state resources like electricity and water. The proposal aims to shift infrastructure costs to developers and has gained gubernatorial support, despite criticism from Democrats.
State Senate President Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) has announced a legislative push for a statewide moratorium on large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in New Hampshire. Citing concerns about the potential strain on local resources, particularly electricity grids and water supplies, Carson stated that upcoming legislation for the 2027 session will aim to protect the state's critical infrastructure.
Under the proposed framework, data center developers would be required to cover upfront costs for essential infrastructure, including water, electricity, and noise mitigation, to prevent the financial burden from falling on local taxpayers and utility customers. Carson emphasized the need to ensure that the expansion of these facilities does not compromise New Hampshire residents' access to resources.
This policy shift is driven by increasing public concern over proposed data center projects in communities like East Concord and Bow, where residents have voiced alarms regarding high water consumption for cooling servers and the heavy demand on the regional power grid. The initiative has garnered support from Governor Kelly Ayotte, signifying a unified Republican front on the issue.
However, the proposal has faced criticism from State House Democrats, who highlighted that an earlier regulatory data center bill, Senate Bill 439, was rolled back by Republicans. As the legislative session approaches, the debate over infrastructure protection and establishing strict guidelines for large-scale AI data operations is expected to be a central focus in Concord.