New York has become the first US state to enact a one-year moratorium on the construction of large data centers, defined as those using 50 megawatts or more. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the ban on Tuesday, stating it will remain in place until the state establishes consistent standards for responsible data center development.
The move comes amid growing national concerns over pollution, rising energy costs, and water depletion caused by data centers. At the federal level, Senators Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have proposed a nationwide moratorium, but Republicans have resisted, warning it could undermine US leadership in the AI race.
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