New York Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Halt Data Center Development for Three Years

The proposed moratorium aims to assess the environmental, economic, and social impacts of data centers before approving new facilities.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would halt approval and construction of new large data centers in the state for at least three years. The bill, known as S.9144, seeks to give state agencies time to thoroughly assess the environmental, economic, and social effects of such facilities before allowing more to be built.

Why it matters

The rapid expansion of data centers, especially those tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure, has raised concerns about their strain on electrical grids, utility costs, and water resources. Environmental groups have called this expansion 'one of the biggest environmental and social threats of our generation.' The New York moratorium reflects growing public scrutiny of these environmental downsides and the need for governments to weigh sustainability against technological growth.

The details

The bill would require New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to complete a comprehensive environmental impact review and for the Public Service Commission (PSC) to evaluate how these massive facilities affect electricity pricing and grid reliability. Supporters say the moratorium will give New York time to analyze energy usage, water consumption, air quality, emissions, electronic waste, and the impact on local utility costs for households and small businesses, as well as develop clear regulations to protect communities and the grid.

  • On February 6, 2026, Democratic state lawmakers introduced the legislation.
  • The bill would halt approval and construction of new large data centers in New York for at least three years.

The players

Liz Krueger

A New York state senator who spearheaded the data center moratorium bill.

Kristen Gonzalez

A New York state senator who co-sponsored the data center moratorium bill.

Anna Kelles

A New York state assemblymember who co-sponsored the data center moratorium bill.

New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

The state agency that would be required to complete a comprehensive environmental impact review under the proposed legislation.

New York Public Service Commission (PSC)

The state agency that would be required to evaluate how data centers affect electricity pricing and grid reliability under the proposed legislation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This legislation creates a responsible pause so the state can complete a comprehensive assessment and put clear, data-driven standards in place.”

— Liz Krueger, New York state senator (GadgetLite.com)

What’s next

The fate of the New York moratorium is still uncertain, but it could set a precedent for how states across the U.S. regulate the future of tech infrastructure.

The takeaway

The rapid expansion of data centers, driven by the growth of artificial intelligence, has raised significant environmental and community concerns. The New York moratorium reflects a growing push by states to carefully assess the impacts of these facilities and develop clear regulations to protect their residents and resources before approving more development.