New York lawmakers propose a three-year pause on new data centers

New York state lawmakers introduced a bill proposing a three-year moratorium on new data center construction permits, making it the sixth state to consider such a pause. The legislation, sponsored by Democrats Liz Krueger and Anna Kelles, responds to concerns about data centers' impact on electricity costs and local communities as tech companies increase AI infrastructure spending. Similar bills have been proposed across multiple states by both Democrats and Republicans, with over 230 environmental groups calling for a national moratorium. Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced an initiative requiring large energy users like data centers to pay their fair share for grid connections.