New York Lawmakers Want to Pause New Data Centres for a Three Year Period
8 February 2026 at 17:48
A pair of lawmakers in New York wants to put a pause on new data centres in the state for the next three years and ninety days, for the state to be able to assess the impact on water, electricity and gas usage. New York would follow in the footsteps of Georgia, Maryland, Oklahoma, Vermont and Virginiaβaccording to Wiredβwith Florida also considering legislation.
New York state has at least 133 data centres, with most being located in New York City and Buffalo, followed by Albany and Long Island, which according to National Grid New York President Sally Librera will see the electricity demand jump to 10 GW over the next five years. Common among all the states is that the cost of electricity and other utilities have increased, with electricity prices by around 13 percent in 2025. Some of the states want the data centres to "pay their own way", although considering the time it takes to build the infrastructure needed, this might end up being a problem with the current growth rate of new datacentres. With an increasing number of US states considering moratoriums for new datacentres, the current AI boom might have hit a snag that none of the companies involved can get around.
New York state has at least 133 data centres, with most being located in New York City and Buffalo, followed by Albany and Long Island, which according to National Grid New York President Sally Librera will see the electricity demand jump to 10 GW over the next five years. Common among all the states is that the cost of electricity and other utilities have increased, with electricity prices by around 13 percent in 2025. Some of the states want the data centres to "pay their own way", although considering the time it takes to build the infrastructure needed, this might end up being a problem with the current growth rate of new datacentres. With an increasing number of US states considering moratoriums for new datacentres, the current AI boom might have hit a snag that none of the companies involved can get around.
