(AURN News) — The state of New York is standing up and saying enough is enough when it comes to data centers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed an executive order making the state the first in the nation to place a moratorium on new hyperscale data centers.
Data centers have continually come under scrutiny for what many say is a lack of oversight, higher energy rates and high water usage. There is a growing movement of Americans saying no to data centers, despite claims that local municipalities quickly or quietly approve them for construction.
In Atlanta, for example, some residents even claim their homes have suffered damage as a result of nearby data centers.
“New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too,” Hochul said.
The moratorium will remain in effect for one year and will create a state data center community investment framework.
The governor also said she will pursue legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for data centers.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
