New York Governor Signs One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers Above 50 Megawatts

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on July 14 imposing a one-year moratorium on new data centers that would consume 50 megawatts or more of power. The order pauses state environmental reviews for qualifying projects and directs the Department of Public Service to study impacts on the electric grid, natural resources, and local communities before developing a new generic environmental impact statement.

Existing permits that remain valid are unaffected by the order. The measure applies to hyperscale facilities and marks the first statewide moratorium of its kind in the United States.

President Trump posted on Truth Social on July 16 that the policy would send jobs and tax revenue to other states. " Trump stated that companies are now being sought in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Arizona and other states, and he referred to taxes and jobs from such projects as "LIQUID GOLD" and called data centers "cash cows" that deliver lower taxes and record-setting job creation.

He added that the facilities must pay for their own water and power, with any surplus returning to the state and local community.

A Siena University poll conducted in June found roughly half of New York voters viewed a one-year moratorium favorably, while 21 percent opposed it and 17 percent were undecided.