New York lawmakers propose a three-year pause on new data centers

New York state lawmakers have proposed a bill to impose a moratorium of at least three years on permits for constructing and operating new data centers. This move reflects growing bipartisan concerns about the environmental and community impacts of data centers, especially as tech companies expand AI infrastructure. New York joins at least five other states considering similar pauses, with both progressive and conservative figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, voicing criticism over data centers’ energy consumption and associated costs. The bill, sponsored by Democratic state senator Liz Krueger and assemblymember Anna Kelles, aims to give New York time to develop stronger policies to manage the rapid growth of data centers and avoid potential negative consequences such as increased utility bills for residents. Over 230 environmental groups, including Food & Water Watch and Greenpeace, support a national moratorium on new data center construction, with Food & Water Watch crediting the New York proposal as their initiative. Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced Energize NY Development, a program intended