New York Legislature Passes Bill for One-Year Data Center Permit Moratorium
By
Derek Harrison
Crisp on the outside, thoughtful on the inside. A keeper.
Summary
The New York State Legislature passed a bill imposing a one-year moratorium on data center permits, making it the first potential statewide freeze of its kind in the U.S. The move reflects growing pushback against the rapid expansion of power-hungry data centers. Governor Kathy Hochul has indicated she believes such decisions should be left to local municipalities rather than the state, leaving the bill's enactment uncertain. Maine's governor previously vetoed a similar moratorium in April.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThe 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.
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.
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