New York, NY — New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Chair of the Senate Internet and Technology Committee, joined NY Governor Kathy Hochul to announce a statewide data center moratorium as part of an executive order related to the state’s development of data centers.

This EO would establish the first statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers in the nation, and create frameworks to address the ratepayer concerns, energy demands, and community impacts of these developments. 

The executive order builds off the momentum and public support of Senator Gonzalez’s bill, the Responsible Data Center Development Act (S.10462), comprehensive legislation regulating data center development in New York State. The bill included a one year moratorium on permits for hyperscale facilities (20 megawatts and above) in addition to requiring transparency, public engagement, community benefits, new rate classes for electricity and water usage, and labor protections.

This bill passed as an omnibus bill with bipartisan support and 70+ memos of support, through both houses of the New York State legislature. Assembly member Didi Barrett sponsored the legislation on the Assembly side, and legislators like Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly member Anna Kelles, played notable roles in putting the omnibus bill together. 

Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, "Technology should make our lives better, not pollute our water, strain our energy grid, or drive up our utility bills. As the sponsor of the Responsible Data Center Development Act, I have heard from New Yorkers across our state who are concerned about what the rise in large data centers might mean for their communities. With this Executive Order, Governor Hochul is protecting everyday New Yorkers with a first in the nation moratorium on new large data centers. By giving our state the time to plan, we can ensure that development and innovation do not come at the expense of all of us. Thank you to the Governor for her leadership, and thank you to the coalition of environmental justice advocates who have worked tirelessly to put New Yorkers and our environment first.”