New York Enacts First Statewide Moratorium on Data Centers

WHO:

Fast Company - Hochul's administration is still considering whether to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act.

Fast Company - Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman is against a statewide moratorium.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - Governor Kathy Hochul stated, "The pause will give lawmakers time to create a framework to protect residents and the environment."

Fast Company - Hochul's opponent, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, is against a statewide moratorium.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - Governor Kathy Hochul stated, "As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it's my responsibility to take action and lead."

Fast Company - Hochul is still considering whether to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - Governor Kathy Hochul stated, "New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too."

CBS News - Governor Kathy Hochul signed the executive order.

ABC News - New York is the first state to impose this moratorium.

Newsweek - The moratorium affects large data centers that support artificial intelligence.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The Responsible Data Center Development Act includes policies such as renewable energy goals for data centers and separate water and electricity rates for them.

Fast Company - The moratorium will apply to "so-called hyperscale" data centers, any locations that use at least 50 megawatts of power to function.

Fast Company - The moratorium will apply to data centers exceeding 20 megawatts of power as per the Responsible Data Center Development Act.

Fast Company - The Responsible Data Center Development Act includes policies such as renewable energy goals for data centers and separate water and electricity rates for them.

Fast Company - The moratorium will apply to "so-called hyperscale" data centers, any locations that use at least 50 megawatts of power to function.

Fast Company - The moratorium will go into effect immediately and last for up to a year.

Fast Company - Hochul plans to lift the moratorium once the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) is completed.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - The moratorium will block new large data centers that fuel artificial intelligence for up to a year.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - The Department of Public Service will create the guidelines for centers to ensure new facilities meet consistent standards.

Fast Company - The Responsible Data Center Development Act includes policies such as renewable energy goals for data centers and separate water and electricity rates for them.

Fast Company - The moratorium will apply to data centers exceeding 20 megawatts of power as per the Responsible Data Center Development Act.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - The moratorium will block new large data centers that fuel artificial intelligence for up to a year.

Fast Company - The moratorium will apply to "so-called hyperscale" data centers, any locations that use at least 50 megawatts of power to function.

Fast Company - The Responsible Data Center Development Act would put a one-year moratorium on permits for data centers exceeding 20 megawatts of power.

Fast Company - The moratorium will go into effect immediately and last for up to a year.

Fast Company - Governor Hochul is looking to state officials to develop a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) during the moratorium.

Fast Company - The GEIS will focus on holding all new data centers to the same standards and the environmental impact of these developments.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - The moratorium will block new large data centers that fuel artificial intelligence for up to a year.

CBS News - New York will have a one-year pause on building new data centers.

CBS News - The executive order bans state lawmakers from approving environmental permits for hyperscale data centers.

CBS News - Hyperscale data centers typically use 50 or more megawatts of power and require a steady supply of water.

CBS News - The Department of Public Service will create guidelines for new data centers.

WHERE:

CBS News - The moratorium applies statewide in New York.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Hochul is up for reelection in November.

Fast Company - Hochul plans to lift the moratorium once the GEIS is completed.

CBS News - The moratorium will last for one year.

CBS News - The guidelines for data centers will take up to a year to finalize.

WHY:

Fast Company - The issue has emerged as a political flashpoint as community opposition to data center projects has grown over the last year.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - The order comes as the state is experiencing unprecedented growth in the demand for data center development driven by AI and other computing operations.

Fast Company - The issue has emerged as a political flashpoint as community opposition to data center projects has grown over the last year.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - The pause is intended to protect the environment and energy grid amid concerns over energy, water, and costs.

Fast Company - Community opposition to data center projects has grown over the last year, making the issue a political flashpoint.

Fast Company - The issue has emerged as a political flashpoint as community opposition to data center projects has grown over the last year.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - The pause is intended to protect the environment and energy grid amid concerns over energy, water, and costs.

CBS News - The pause is intended to protect residents and the environment amid unprecedented growth in data center demand driven by AI and other computing operations.

CBS News - Hochul stated that data center development threatens to increase utility bills, deplete natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers.

HOW:

Fast Company - The order is intended to expedite the process while Hochul reviews the Responsible Data Center Development Act.

Fast Company - Hochul's administration is reviewing the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which includes policies such as renewable energy goals for data centers and separate water and electricity rates for them.

[7:31 AM EDT] - CBS News - Hochul said this will take up to a year, prompting the moratorium.

Fast Company - The order is intended to expedite the process while Hochul reviews the Responsible Data Center Development Act.

CBS News - The executive order is a direct action taken by Governor Hochul to lead the creation of standards for data center development.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 11:23 UTC)

Governor Hochul's administration is currently weighing the decision to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which includes renewable energy goals and separate water and electricity rates for data centers. Meanwhile, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman has voiced his opposition to a proposed statewide moratorium that would affect "so-called hyperscale" data centers using at least 50 megawatts of power. This issue has become a significant political flashpoint as community opposition to data center projects has intensified, especially with Hochul facing reelection in November.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 03:55 UTC)

New York Governor Hochul has announced a moratorium on the development of large data centers, specifically those exceeding 20 megawatts of power, under the Responsible Data Center Development Act. This pause will apply to "so-called hyperscale" data centers that require at least 50 megawatts to operate and will take effect immediately, lasting for up to a year until the Generic Environmental Impact Statement is completed. The decision comes amid growing community opposition to data center projects, prompting Hochul's administration to review policies that include renewable energy goals and distinct water and electricity rates for these facilities.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 00:10 UTC)

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a moratorium that will block new large data centers fueling artificial intelligence for up to a year, stating that this pause will allow lawmakers to create a framework to protect residents and the environment. The Department of Public Service will be responsible for developing guidelines to ensure that any new facilities meet consistent standards. This order comes in response to the unprecedented growth in demand for data center development driven by AI and other computing operations.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 17:21 UTC)

Governor Hochul is facing opposition from Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman regarding a proposed statewide moratorium on data centers that exceed 20 megawatts of power, as outlined in the Responsible Data Center Development Act. This act aims to establish renewable energy goals for data centers and create separate water and electricity rates for them, amidst growing community concerns about such projects. Hochul, who is up for reelection in November, is working to expedite the review process for the act while addressing these rising tensions.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 16:20 UTC)

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a moratorium on new large data centers that support artificial intelligence, citing concerns over rising utility bills, resource depletion, and uncertainty for New Yorkers. This pause will last for up to a year and specifically targets "hyperscale" data centers that consume at least 50 megawatts of power. The order aims to protect the environment and energy grid while Hochul reviews the Responsible Data Center Development Act.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 15:21 UTC)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is still weighing whether to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which would impose a one-year moratorium on permits for data centers that exceed 20 megawatts of power. This decision comes amid growing community opposition to data center projects, turning the issue into a significant political flashpoint as Hochul seeks reelection in November. The order aims to expedite the review process while she considers the implications of the proposed legislation.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 14:32 UTC)

Governor Hochul has announced an immediate moratorium on new data center developments that will last for up to a year, during which state officials will work on a Generic Environmental Impact Statement, or GEIS. This GEIS aims to establish uniform standards for all new data centers and assess their environmental impact, a response to growing community opposition to such projects. Hochul plans to lift the moratorium once the GEIS is completed, while her administration is also reviewing the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which includes policies focused on renewable energy goals and separate utility rates for data centers.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 13:22 UTC)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state will establish the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, emphasizing that the success of companies in New York should also benefit New Yorkers. To support this initiative, a moratorium will be put in place, blocking new large data centers that power artificial intelligence for up to a year. This pause aims to safeguard the environment and energy grid, addressing growing concerns over energy consumption, water usage, and associated costs.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 12:24 UTC)

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed an executive order imposing a one-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers in New York, making it the first state to take such action. This pause specifically targets large hyperscale data centers, which typically consume significant power and water, and aims to protect residents and the environment amid rising demand driven by artificial intelligence. The Department of Public Service will develop guidelines for these facilities, with the final standards expected to be established within the year.