New York Enacting Nation’s First Statewide Data Center Moratorium

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order establishing the nation's first statewide data center moratorium, imposing a one-year ban on construction of facilities with at least 50 megawatts of capacity, while directing state regulators to develop new environmental, energy, and water-use standards. The moratorium was enacted amid concerns that increased data center development driven by AI demand could increase utility bills and strain natural resources, though industry experts disputed the necessity of the restriction.