However, Governor Kathy Hochul has not yet signed the bill, so at this stage it is better understood as a proposed framework than actual policy, but lawmakers behind the bill say it is designed less as a means of buying time to assess the many impacts of new data center construction — on the environment, energy prices and local jobs — than as a blanket ban.
Meta is building an AI data center in a tent
If passed into law, the bill would require any company planning to build a “large” data center, defined as having at least 20 megawatts of capacity, to also hold public hearings on the desirability of the project among local residents.
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Public opinion on data centers has deteriorated rapidly, Even since last fallwith 7 out of 10 Americans Now they are protesting the construction of new data centers in their area, and lawmakers are starting to take notice. there was such a stop Attempted in Maine earlier this yearBut the proposal was ultimately rejected by Democratic Governor Janet Mills on the grounds that it failed to exempt the already planned project.
Unsurprisingly, representatives of companies supporting new data center construction oppose the moratorium, supporting a case-by-case assessment of new constructions. politico spoke to Stacey Sykes, current president and CEO of the Long Island Association Business Group, who warned about the economic impacts of a complete ban: “We think it would be detrimental to the state’s economy overall, because having a complete moratorium instead of looking at it on a case by case basis would not allow the state to move forward on a data center project that would actually be helpful to our economy.”
When asked about the bill’s chances of becoming law, Hochul spokesperson Kristin DeVoe speculated: “The governor will review the bill.”
Subject
artificial intelligence
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