New York
On June 4, 2026 the New York Legislature passed the Responsible Data Center Development Act (S10642/A11560), a one-year statewide moratorium on permits for large (>=20 MW) data centers plus rate-class, renewable and host-community mandates; if signed it would be the first statewide moratorium in force in the U.S., but Gov. Kathy Hochul — up for re-election against Elise Stefanik in a race centered on energy affordability — has voiced reservations and can pocket-veto it by year end (Phillips Lytle, Greenberg Traurig, Commercial Observer).
ILens Signals
Civic/Governance Barriers activates on moratorium-class action (C1), meaningful 2026 race (C3) — governance instruments on the electoral, legislative, and regulatory surface (protocol §10; Overview Civic breakout). Energy/Power is the dominant stressor (grid strain from large loads, phantom loads, PSC large-load proceeding). Capital Flows/Insurability is a co-dominant stressor: the enacted-by-legislature bill forces new rate classes and full cost allocation to operators and bars utility rate increases until implemented, and Hochul's Energize NY explicitly requires data centers to cover costs or self-supply — clear ratepayer cost-shift and stranded-asset dynamics (Phillips Lytle, Governor Hochul PSC proceeding). Water/Geology addressed via DEC environmental-impact study covering water consumption (Phillips Lytle).
IIKey 2026 Races
2026 Governor: Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) vs. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R), with energy affordability and utility-bill increases a defining campaign theme; Stefanik has repeatedly hit Hochul over rising bills and Hochul unveiled a January ratepayer-protection plan making data centers 'pay their fair share' (The Hill poll, Governor Hochul ratepayer plan, Fox News). The pending moratorium bill itself is now a live gubernatorial decision point in an election year (Inside Climate News).
IIIMoratorium · Ban Status
STATEWIDE (legislature-passed, awaiting governor): The Responsible Data Center Development Act (S10642/A11560) cleared the Senate and Assembly on June 4, 2026 imposing a one-year DEC-permit moratorium on new large data centers (>=20 MW), not applying to projects already under construction or to renewals; it is on Gov. Hochul's desk, and after session adjournment an unsigned bill is pocket-vetoed rather than becoming law, with her decision window running to end of December 2026 (Phillips Lytle, Greenberg Traurig, BTPM). A separate earlier 3-year Krueger/Kelles/Gonzalez version (S9144/A10141) remained in committee (DLA Piper, Food & Water Watch).
IVRatepayer · Cost-Shift Legislation
The Responsible Data Center Development Act mandates separate electric/gas/water service classifications for large data centers by June 1, 2030, requires operators to cover infrastructure-upgrade costs, and bars utility rate-increase approvals until classifications are in place; it also phases in renewable-energy requirements (one-third by 2030, 90% by 2040) (Phillips Lytle). Separately, Gov. Hochul's 'Energize NY Development' initiative launched a PSC large-load proceeding (Feb. 12, 2026) reviewing interconnection, cost allocation and tariffs so data centers pay costs they impose or supply their own power (Governor Hochul PSC proceeding). Bill A9064 (Jacobson) would bar utilities from passing data-center costs to other ratepayers (NY Senate A9064).
VBallot Measures
None identified. No Nov 2026 statewide New York data-center ballot measure surfaced; the fight is legislative (moratorium bill on the governor's desk) rather than at the ballot (Phillips Lytle).
VITop Contested Sites
Advocates cite roughly 25 planned New York projects the moratorium is intended to pause; specific named sites were not itemized in the public record, but statewide scope covers all such projects.
VIITalent · Workforce
Jobs-vs-benefits framing present: the bill includes labor standards and a 'host community benefits' program requiring projects to fund local upgrades; Hochul frames approvals around projects that create 'exceptional job creation' vs. exceptional demand (Phillips Lytle, Governor Hochul ratepayer plan). Not a standalone dominant domain.
VIIIData Center Cluster Size
Growing cluster; advocates reference ~25 planned large projects statewide targeted by the moratorium, though existing large-scale footprint remains modest relative to hub states.
IXKey Quote
"With respect to this particular bill — I have over 850 bills... As a matter of policy, I do not comment on bills that are before me at this time... So, we've got some time." — Gov. Kathy Hochul (BTPM).