Ayotte says she now supports a moratorium on data centers
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte has publicly announced her support for a statewide moratorium on data centers. She cited concerns regarding the state's energy capacity and the potential for increased energy prices for residents. Ayotte stated that New Hampshire is not an appropriate location for data centers due to energy and environmental impacts.
New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte announced her support for a statewide moratorium on data centers, stating that the Granite State lacks the necessary energy resources and suitable location for such developments. Speaking at the Rotary Club of Portsmouth on August 20, Ayotte emphasized concerns about potential increases in energy costs for ratepayers.
The Governor's stance was informed by a conversation with the head of ISO New England, who advised that the entire New England region could only accommodate one moderately sized data center without significantly driving up energy prices. Ayotte concluded that data centers "do not make sense at all in terms of energy, environment or location" for New Hampshire. The issue has also seen local opposition, with residents in Rochester previously voicing concerns about data center projects.