Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced an executive order that establishes a statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers and pauses certain State environmental permits for up to one year while agencies develop a regulatory framework for data center development.
The Governor described the action at a roundtable in Albany with state, business and local leaders, saying the pause will allow New York to set “the strongest standards” for data center projects to protect ratepayers, the energy grid, farmland and communities. The event included remarks from Assemblymember Didi Barrett and was led by the state’s Director of State Operations, Jackie Bray.
Why the pause
According to the Governor’s remarks and the accompanying rush transcript, the temporary moratorium is intended to create a “nation-leading regulatory framework” and a community investment template through Empire State Development so localities have clear rules and a negotiation baseline. Hochul said the state will seek to ensure projects come with benefits for host communities and do not rely on taxpayer subsidies or preferential tax breaks.
Hochul also emphasized energy-system concerns: Upstate New York’s limited energy supply and the potential strain of large hyperscale facilities are a primary motivation for the pause. The Governor said companies should either bring their own energy supply or pay a premium to tap the grid, and proposed contributions to a larger grid fund to support necessary investments.
Workforce, AI and oversight
The announcement reiterates the state’s broader focus on artificial intelligence and workforce policy. Hochul referenced the state’s Future Works Commission — a group studying the future of work in the AI era — and pointed to Empire AI, a state initiative that gives public institutions access to compute power. She said the commission will deliver recommendations quickly, aiming to incorporate findings into the State of the State.
What the government statement says next
The Governor’s office says the pause will last “up to one year” while the administration develops standards, community investment frameworks and a blueprint for localities. Officials said the moratorium is temporary and that local governments will retain decision-making authority after the study period.
No detailed permit list, start date for the moratorium, or links to the executive order were included in the release. The Governor’s office provided video, audio and photos of the event and a rush transcript of remarks.
Local impact
The move could affect communities across Upstate and Western New York that have been explored or courted for data center projects, particularly where grid capacity, farmland preservation or environmental impacts are concerns. The administration framed the pause as a way to ensure all communities have negotiating tools and a clear template for community benefits if projects proceed after the moratorium.
Reporters and local officials seeking the executive order text, a list of specific permits paused, and the administration’s timeline for the regulatory framework will need to request those documents from the Governor’s office or state agencies; the news release did not include direct links to the order or supporting materials.
