New York state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would impose a minimum three-year moratorium on permits associated with the construction and operation of new data centers. While the bill’s prospects are uncertain, Wired reports that New York is at least the sixth state to consider a moratorium on new data center construction.
As tech companies plan to spend increasing amounts of money to build AI infrastructure, both Democrats and Republicans have raised concerns about the impact these data centers could have on surrounding communities. Studies have also linked data centers to increased electricity bills.
Critics include progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, who called for a national moratorium, as well as conservative Florida Gov. Ron De Santis, who said the data centers would lead to “higher energy bills just so some chatbot can screw some 13-year-old online.”
More than 230 environmental groups including Food & Water Watch, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace recently signed an open letter to Congress demanding a national moratorium on new data center construction.
Food & Water Watch’s Eric Weltman told Wired that the New York bill — sponsored by state Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles, both Democrats — was “our idea.” Data center shutdowns have also been proposed by Democrats in Georgia, Vermont and Virginia, while Republicans have sponsored similar bills in Maryland and Oklahoma.
According to Politico, Krueger described her state as “completely unprepared” for the “massive data centers” that are “attacking New York.”
“It’s time to hit the pause button, give yourself room to adopt strong data center policies and avoid being stuck in a bubble that bursts and leaves New York customers with a huge bill,” she said.
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Last month, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new initiative called Energize NY Development, which her office said would modernize the way large energy users (i.e. data centers) connect to the grid while requiring them to “pay their fair share.”