Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order imposing a one-year moratorium on new permits for hyperscale data centers. New York is the first state to enact such a ban. The pause targets large facilities essential for artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
The order blocks permits for new facilities requiring more than 50 megawatts of power. State regulators will use the time to study environmental and energy grid impacts.
Governor Hochul cited the need to protect against rising utility bills and resource depletion. The move addresses public concern over massive energy and water consumption.