All articles tagged with #moratorium
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers proposes a one-year moratorium on new data-center developments in Michigan to establish a fair, transparent local-approval process that prioritizes communities, water protection, and affordability, while explicitly stating he does not support a federal ban.
As he campaigns for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, Republican Mike Rogers backs a one-year pause on new data centers to establish a fair, local-first approval process and stronger guardrails, while opposing a federal ban. His stance marks a shift from his earlier support for data-center growth and contrasts with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s call for stricter standards without a broad moratorium; the issue has become a campaign flashpoint amid broader national debates over data centers and utility impacts.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the state's first statewide moratorium on permits for large data centers to give regulators time to craft new standards after localities said they were overwhelmed by a data-center boom. She frames the pause as a path to thoughtful, enforceable rules that won’t block innovation, while acknowledging the broader national debate over environmental impact and electricity costs. The move aims to balance AI- and tech-driven growth with local benefits and grid reliability, and comes amid ongoing political and public scrutiny of data-center development.
President Trump criticized Gov. Hochul’s executive order pausing large-scale data center construction in New York for up to a year, arguing data centers are key future job creators and should fund their own water and power; Hochul says the pause ensures communities powering AI share in its success amid concerns about water use, power costs and utilities as AI demand grows.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul imposed a statewide data center moratorium by executive order to move quickly while broader legislation is negotiated. A competing bill from Sen. Kristen Gonzalez would tighten rules (lowering the threshold to 20 MW, creating new rate classes, and requiring public hearings), and Hochul aims to pair the order with legislation to limit tax benefits for hyperscalers. The move could serve as a national playbook for Democrats amid a wider debate on data-center expansion across states and politics.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a one-year moratorium on new data centers (50 MW threshold) and is weighing a broader 12-month bill, a move that could set a precedent for other states and influence national AI regulation debates, even as industry warns it could slow innovation and raise energy costs.
Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign an executive order pausing new large-scale data center permits in New York for up to a year to allow regulators to craft energy- and environment-focused standards, with exceptions for smaller or research/education/healthcare facilities. Existing permits stay unaffected, and Hochul also aims to push legislation ending data-center sales tax subsidies; the move could influence similar actions in other states.
A House panel advanced data center legislation but deep divisions over a nationwide moratorium on new data centers threaten momentum; Pallone and Castor push for stronger federal action while Guthrie warns it could slow AI progress, and Senate leaders are divided about moving forward. The Ratepayer Protection Act passed by voice vote, but broader energy and grid bills face an uphill battle as lawmakers weigh who should cover new generation and transmission costs.
Seattle City Council unanimously approved a year-long moratorium on building new AI-focused datacenters, with an amendment allowing existing centers to expand up to 20 MW during the pause. The goal is to study electricity use and urban-land implications and potentially require conditions such as transit and housing investments for permits. Activists worry the measure won’t curb power demand and could spur other centers to push for expansions, while officials push for broader state regulation in the next legislative session amid regional scrutiny of AI infrastructure and jobs.
New York lawmakers advanced a one-year moratorium on hyperscale datacenters over 20MW, with an environmental impact report and safeguards for energy use and ratepayers, sending the bill to Governor Hochul for signature amid a nationwide backlash over AI infrastructure.
New York lawmakers have proposed a one-year moratorium on building new large data centers (20 MW+), a framework designed to pause AI infrastructure while the state weighs environmental, energy-price, and local-job impacts; if enacted, the bill would require public hearings for major projects and remains under consideration by Governor Hochul, who has not yet signed it. Critics warn a blanket pause could damage the economy, while supporters call for a case-by-case review, and public sentiment toward data centers has grown increasingly negative.
Seattle’s city council committees approved a year-long moratorium on new datacenters to study impacts and draft regulations for the AI industry, including energy use, land use, labor standards, and potential public-benefit requirements, while exploring separate rates for large-load customers; the move aims to protect residents from costs and environmental harms and could set a regional precedent as tech workers and activists back the pause.
Eight proposed data centers in Hood County could strain local water and power supplies, while residents push back and officials grapple with limited authority to pause or block them amid lawsuits and a broader state policy debate; neighboring Hill County has already enacted a one-year pause, signaling a statewide regulatory crunch as Texas races to keep up with hyperscale infrastructure.
The New York Legislature appears poised to pass a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data centers (over 20 MW), halting DEC permits while regulators develop guardrails and rate protections. If Gov. Hochul signs, New York could become the first state with a statewide data-center ban. The bill, S10642/A11560, would give time to craft energy rules to protect the grid and ratepayers, and includes a new rate, energy efficiency mandates, renewable requirements, and labor standards. Opponents from tech and business groups warn the measure could stunt economic development; lawmakers plan votes this week before leaving Albany, with Hochul's stance still under review.
Hill County, Texas’s commissioners voted 3-2 to impose a yearlong moratorium on data center and related power plant construction in unincorporated areas to slow rapid development and give lawmakers time to address concerns over water use, electric grid strain, and impacts on landowners, amid opposition from residents and threats of lawsuits from developers.