New York Assembly, Senate pass 1-year ban on new data centers

New York state is putting a pause on new data centers for at least a year — that is, if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs off on it. On Thursday afternoon, the New York State Assembly and Senate signed off on a bill that pauses the issuance of new permits for at least a year. Assemblyman Michael Cashman, who co-sponsored the bill, said the legislation also requires utility companies to establish an independent classification for data centers.He said the centers limit community water supply and strain the state’s electric grid. The bill would also require utility companies to create a separate classification for data centers to keep rates down for everyday customers. Cashman said he believes that this would ultimately help North Country residents save on their utility bills.Assemblyman Matt Simpson voted against the bill and called it “a dangerous expansion of the failed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act agenda that prioritizes wind and solar mandates at the expense of reliable, diverse energy sources and local control.”

ALBANY, N.Y. —

New York state is putting a pause on new data centers for at least a year — that is, if Gov. Kathy Hochul signs off on it.

On Thursday afternoon, the New York State Assembly and Senate signed off on a bill that pauses the issuance of new permits for at least a year.

Assemblyman Michael Cashman, who co-sponsored the bill, said the legislation also requires utility companies to establish an independent classification for data centers.

He said the centers limit community water supply and strain the state’s electric grid. The bill would also require utility companies to create a separate classification for data centers to keep rates down for everyday customers. Cashman said he believes that this would ultimately help North Country residents save on their utility bills.

Assemblyman Matt Simpson voted against the bill and called it “a dangerous expansion of the failed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act agenda that prioritizes wind and solar mandates at the expense of reliable, diverse energy sources and local control.”