New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a one-year moratorium on the construction of data centers using 50 megawatts or more, making the state the first to enact such a ban. The pause will remain in effect until the state establishes consistent standards for responsible data center development.
The decision reflects growing nationwide concerns over pollution, rising energy costs, and water usage linked to data centers, and follows federal legislation proposed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that would impose a similar national ban. However, Republican opposition, citing former President Donald Trump's warning that such moratoriums could undermine America's lead in artificial intelligence, makes a federal ban unlikely.
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