New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on July 14, 2026, halting new permits for hyperscale data centers of 50 megawatts or larger for one year, making New York the first state in the nation to impose a statewide moratorium on such facilities.
July 14, 2026 · Executive Order
New York Becomes First State to Halt New Hyperscale Data Centers
Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order pausing new permits for data centers of 50 megawatts or larger for one year, pending environmental review — a landmark break with an era when states raced to recruit these facilities.
50MW+
Threshold for the permit freeze — hyperscale facilities only
1 yr
Length of the moratorium, pending review
12+
Projects the pause could touch
1st
Statewide moratorium in effect nationally
Two Thresholds, One Debate
The legislature's bill drew the line at 20 MW. Hochul's executive order set a higher, narrower 50 MW bar — capturing fewer facilities.
20 MW
Legislature's bill
50 MW
Hochul's
Why the Pause Now: Footprints Keep Growing
Projections point toward ever-larger facilities — with the biggest topping 500 MW , ten times the freeze threshold.
~25%
of new data centers could exceed 500 MW by 2030
Exempt from the pause
Existing operating sites
Projects already under construction
Smaller installations for banks, hospitals, universities
Driving concerns
Strained grid & rising power bills
Water consumption
Noise & local environmental burden
Welcomed by
Residents and environmental groups, citing utility bills and local environmental impacts.
Criticized by
Business voices warning of deterred investment — and others arguing the order is weaker than the legislature's bill.
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