Albany, NY – Later today the New York state legislature will pass a one-year moratorium on the construction of new AI-driven hyperscale data centers. If signed by Governor Hochul, New York would become the first state in the country to enact a complete temporary halt to this AI-driven data center development. A similar bill was recently passed by the Maine legislature but vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills.

In response, Food & Water Watch’s managing director of organizing, Emily Wurth, issued the following statement:

“The more Americans learn about AI data centers, the more they are opposed to these monstrous, energy-intensive, water-sucking facilities. We’ve seen enough to know that the unfettered expansion of this aggressive, profit-hungry industry is one of the biggest economic, environmental and social threats of our time. Wherever these hyperscale data centers are built, electricity rates skyrocket for families and small businesses, water stability is threatened, and communities are turned upside down. 

“Credit to the New York state legislature for taking the only responsible path when it comes to out-of-control data center development: a complete pause on new construction, so local and state leaders can take the time needed to properly assess the many inherent harms and hazards this industry brings. 

“Governor Hochul must sign this hyperscale data center moratorium immediately. In so doing, she would demonstrate New York’s leadership on this critical issue rapidly consuming the country.

“Across the nation, a broad and widening movement is taking hold to stop the incessant encroachment of the data center industry in its tracks. Poll after poll shows that a strong majority of Americans do not want this Big Tech attack in their communities. And on almost a daily basis, new towns and cities are enacting their own moratoriums and other measures to protect themselves sooner rather than later.

“State and federal leaders should take the cue from these countless communities already rising up against data centers and get behind legislation in Congress and in statehouses that will meet the moment by putting a pause on this aggressive industry now.”

Last October, Food & Water Watch became the first national organization in the country to call for a full nationwide moratorium on the approval and construction of new data centers. Since then nearly 500 national, state and local organizations from across the country have echoed this call. Meanwhile, Food & Water Watch has been active in fighting numerous proposals in many states, including California, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

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