New York State has passed a one-year moratorium on new large data centers, which would be the first statewide ban of its kind if signed by the governor. The legislation aims to allow time to study the environmental and energy impacts of data centers, requiring the state environmental agency to produce a comprehensive impact report. The bill specifically targets facilities with peak demand of at least 20 megawatts and requires public hearings for proposed projects.
Background
Data centers are energy-intensive facilities that power internet services and cloud computing, with growing concerns about their environmental impact and energy consumption. States are increasingly evaluating how to balance technological growth with sustainability goals.
- Source
- The Verge
- Published
- Jun 5, 2026 at 11:25 PM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10