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New York Governor Hochul Signs Executive Order Freezing Large Data Center Permits for Up to a Year

July 14, 2026 at 05:07 EDT

Policy & Regulation
Infra & Chips

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order on July 14, 2026, halting environmental permits for data centers of 50 megawatts or more for up to a year, making New York the first state to impose a statewide moratorium on the facilities that power the AI boom.

July 14, 2026 · New York State

New York Freezes the AI Data-Center Boom

Gov. Kathy Hochul signs an executive order pausing environmental permits for data centers of 50 megawatts or more — up to one year — making New York the first state in the nation with a statewide moratorium.

1st

Statewide data-center moratorium in the U.S.

50 MW

Threshold at which DEC permits are paused

1 yr

Maximum length of the permit freeze

$19.4B

Genesee County project — a key flashpoint

Two paths, two thresholds

The signed order sets a higher bar than the still-unsigned bill — deciding which projects get caught.

20 MW

Legislative bill
(unsigned)

50 MW

Executive order
(signed)

Bill adds

New electricity & water rate classes · public hearings before permitting

Order adds

Environmental impact statement · community-benefit guidelines · grid-fund study

What the freeze pays for while it lasts

The state must build a new framework before permits resume.

Assess energy, water & air impacts

→

Publish community-benefit rules (60 days)

→

Study "Grid Acceleration Fund"

Supporters

100+ environmental, consumer and community groups pushed for the pause — citing surging power and water use, rising bills, and noise disrupting residents' sleep.

Critics

Developers and economic-development advocates warn the freeze could deter investment and override local land-use authority.

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