New York State Gets One Step Closer to a Data Center Moratorium
Key takeaways
- New York would become the first state in the nation to enact such a freeze if Gov.
- The moratorium would apply to any data center with a peak energy use above 20 megawatts.
- Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who introduced the bill, told Inside Climate News.
Why this matters: environmental and climate reporting with long-term consequences.
June 4, 2026 Share This Article Republish Environmental advocates and lawmakers hold a rally in support of the data center moratorium legislation on May 13 at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Credit: Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images Related A New N.C. Ratepayer Bill Puts the Brakes on Data Centers, but Incentivizes Fossil Fuels Pennsylvania’s Governor Has a Plan to Make Data Centers Bring Their Own Energy. Now Comes the Hard Part. As Communities Warn of Health Risks, New York Will Weaken Its Landmark Climate Law Share This Article Republish Most Popular An Iowa Town Spent $800,000 on a New Well. It Pumps Undrinkable Water. Colorado River Faces ‘Devastating Consequences’ If Another Dry Winter Lands, Experts Warn EPA Rollbacks Could Raise AC, Refrigeration Costs Despite Promise of Lower Prices The New York Legislature passed a one-year moratorium Thursday night on data center permits, the latest sign of pushback amid a nationwide rush to build the power-hungry facilities.
New York would become the first state in the nation to enact such a freeze if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the bill into law. But Hochul, who is up for re-election this year, has said that she believes it should be left up to municipalities, Politico’s E&E News reported last week. Maine’s governor vetoed a moratorium there in April.
The bill, named the Responsible Data Center Development Act, would also require a local public hearing before such facilities are constructed and a statewide data center environmental impact report within a year and a half after the bill becomes law. The moratorium would apply to any data center with a peak energy use above 20 megawatts.