Overview
- Governor Kathy Hochul signed the order that took effect Tuesday pausing state permitting for new hyperscale data centers that can draw 50 megawatts or more of power.
- The order directs the Department of Public Service to prepare a Generic Environmental Impact Statement, tells the DEC to hold discretionary permits in abeyance, and requires Empire State Development to publish a community investment framework on set deadlines.
- Projects already fully permitted and facilities serving hospitals, schools, research centers, or manufacturing are exempt from the pause while new applications are held up.
- Environmental groups praised the pause and called for strict limits, industry groups and construction unions warned it could cost jobs and redirect investment, and legislators who passed a broader 20 MW bill said they will keep negotiating a statutory outcome.
- Local governments from Long Island to Chautauqua County are moving their own moratoria and hearings, and the state review could lead to policies such as on-site power requirements or a developer-funded grid acceleration mechanism that would protect ratepayers and shape national data-center policy.