New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a one-year moratorium on July 14, 2026, suspending approvals for large new data centers, making New York the first U.S. state to take such action, according to the Financial Times and TechCrunch.
Hochul pointed to the AI-driven construction boom as a primary driver of the policy, TechCrunch reported. Among her stated concerns were rising electricity costs, strain on water supplies, and the erosion of local control over development decisions. The Financial Times added that backlash over infrastructure demands contributed to the decision.
The moratorium covers new data center construction and runs for one year.