Crucial Quote
“As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead,” Hochul told the New York Times, who said she will also pursue legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for large data centers.
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Tangent
The executive order makes New York the first state to enact such a ban on data centers, even though bipartisan opposition to them has continued to grow among voters. Maine was the first state to pass legislation banning the construction of new data centers until November 2027. However, the state’s Democratic governor, Janet Mills, vetoed the legislation in April. Mills said she supports the moratorium, but the legislation did not include a special exemption for a single data center project that would have been built inside a now shuttered pulp and paper mill. Other top Democratic Governors, such as California’s Gavin Newsom, Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, and Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, have appeared to support data center buildouts in their respective states.
What Does Polling About Data Centers Show?
A Gallup survey published in May found that 71% of Americans are somewhat or strongly opposed to data centers in their communities, a higher share than the 53% who oppose nuclear energy plants. Opposition to data centers is stronger among Democrats, with 75% being somewhat or strongly against them. A majority of Republicans (63%) and Independents (74%) are also opposed to data center construction.
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further reading
New York Set to Temporarily Ban Large New Data Centers (Wall Street Journal)
New York to Enact Nation’s First Statewide Moratorium on Data Centers (New York Times)
People Would Rather Have Nuclear Power Plants In Their Area Than AI Data Centers (Forbes)
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