New York State lawmakers have expressed concerns over the environmental impacts data centers may have and also the significant energy needs they require.
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New York State lawmakers have expressed concerns over the environmental impacts data centers may have and also the significant energy needs they require.
ALBANY—New York State Sen. Liz Krueger (D-WF-28th District, Manhattan) and State Assemblymember Dr. Anna R. Kelles (D-125th District, Ithaca, NY) have introduced legislation that would impose a three-year moratorium on the development of data center projects over 20 megawatts.
According to a Politico report, the bill would require the state Department of Environmental Conservation to complete an environmental review and issue regulations to address any impacts identified. The state’s utility regulator would also have to issue regulations to prevent higher energy costs for residential ratepayers from new data centers.
Similar data center moratorium measures have been introduced in Maryland, Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia and Vermont. New York State lawmakers have expressed concerns over the environmental impacts data centers may have and also the significant energy needs they require.
“Massive data centers are gunning for New York, and right now we are completely unprepared,” said Sen. Krueger, who chairs the State Senate’s Finance Committee. “It’s time to hit the pause button, give ourselves some breathing room to adopt strong policies on data centers, and avoid getting caught in a bubble that will burst and leave New York utility customers footing a huge bill.”
Assemblymember Kelles, who reportedly opposes a data center project in her district, said, “This is the time to take a pause and set up strong regulations that ensure protections for New Yorkers from carrying the economic burden of the high energy demands of data centers and minimize environmental harms of water, noise, light and air pollution.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul last month unveiled a series of energy-related proposals including having proposed data centers supply their own energy or pay more for the energy they use so that local residents are not forced to pay higher utility costs. The Hudson Valley has seen some data center development, including a number of significant projects in Rockland County.
Daniel Ortega, head of community affairs for Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC 825) and executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, told Politico, “These are really good projects for our members overall.” said Daniel Ortega, head of community affairs for Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC 825) and executive director of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy. He said the group would oppose a moratorium and also objected to the governor’s proposal to have data centers pay more for the energy they use.
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