New York data center review will examine utility costs, water and neighborhood impacts
New York’s Public Service Commission has proposed an environmental review examining how data centers could affect electricity customers, water supplies, air quality, noise, public health and host communities. The review follows Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive order pausing state permits while the process proceeds, and lawmakers are requesting more time and public hearings.
The New York State Public Service Commission issued a draft scope for an environmental impact statement covering data center construction and operations, grid connections and cost-allocation rules. The review will assess impacts on energy costs, surface and groundwater, farmland, wildlife, transportation, noise, public health and disadvantaged communities, while considering alternatives and the state’s climate requirements.
The process follows Gov. Kathy Hochul’s July executive order directing a review of data center impacts and pausing state permits during the examination. State Sen. Liz Krueger, Assemblymember Anna Kelles and 54 other legislators asked Hochul and commission Chair Rory Christian to extend the comment period to 120 days and hold five public hearings. The commission may revise and adopt a final scope after reviewing public comments; the current document does not approve any specific data center.