New York state legislators have proposed legislation that would enact a minimum three-year halt on permits for new data center construction and operation. Although the bill’s future is unclear, Wired indicates that New York is at least the sixth state contemplating a pause on new data center development.
With technology firms projecting significantly higher expenditures on AI infrastructure, bipartisan worries have emerged regarding the potential effects of these data centers on local communities. Research has also connected data centers to higher residential electricity costs.
Among the detractors are progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, who has advocated for a nationwide halt, and conservative Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who contended that data centers would result in “higher energy bills just so some chatbot can corrupt some 13 year old kid online.”
Over 230 environmental organizations, such as Food & Water Watch, Friends of the Earth, and Greenpeace, recently sent an open letter to Congress urging a national suspension of new data center construction.
Eric Weltman from Food & Water Watch informed Wired that the New York legislation — introduced by state senator Liz Krueger and assemblymember Anna Kelles, both Democrats — originated from “our idea.” Similar data center moratoriums have been suggested by Democrats in Georgia, Vermont, and Virginia, with Republicans backing comparable measures in Maryland and Oklahoma.
Politico reported that Krueger characterized New York as “entirely unprepared” for the “enormous data centers” that are “targeting the state.”
She stated, “We need to press the pause button, allow ourselves space to implement robust data center policies, and prevent being trapped in a bubble that will inevitably burst, leaving New York utility consumers with substantial costs.”
The previous month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a new program, Energize NY Development. Her administration indicated this initiative aims to update the grid connection process for major energy consumers (like data centers) and ensure they “contribute their equitable portion.”