What’s happening in New York
New York has filed one of the most aggressive data center moratorium bills in the country.
S9144 (Senate) and A10141 (Assembly) would halt all data center construction for up to three years while regulators adopt rules to minimize rate impacts on other customers.
The sponsors are significant: Senator Liz Krueger, a respected environmental advocate, and Assembly Member Anna Kelles, who led the 2022 moratorium on fossil fuel-fired crypto mining — one of the first such laws in the United States.
Why New York residents are concerned
Electricity rates. New York already has among the highest rates in the country. Adding massive data center loads threatens to push them even higher for residential customers.
Grid and climate goals. New York's grid is transitioning to renewable energy under the Climate Leadership Act. Data centers requiring constant baseload power complicate that transition.
Environmental justice. Data center infrastructure is often sited in communities already burdened by industrial pollution.
How to oppose a data center in New York
Attend your county commission or city council meetings. Local elected officials control zoning and land use decisions. Public comment periods are your most direct opportunity to voice opposition. Bring specific concerns — water impact, property values, electricity rates, noise — and reference relevant state and local legislation.
Send a formal opposition letter. Written opposition becomes part of the public record and carries significant weight with commissioners. Letters should cite specific concerns, reference relevant statutes, and be addressed to every commissioner by name. We handle this for you →
Organize your neighbors. Join or create a local opposition group. More than 268 community groups across 37 states are actively fighting data center developments. Strength in numbers changes votes.
Engage state legislators. Contact your state representative and senator. Tell them you support regulatory frameworks that protect communities from data center impacts — including moratoriums, ratepayer protections, and environmental review requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a data center moratorium in New York?
S9144/A10141 would impose a moratorium for up to three years while regulators develop ratepayer protection rules. Sponsored by the same lawmakers who passed the 2022 crypto-mining moratorium.
How can I oppose a data center in New York?
Attend your county commission or city council meetings, submit formal opposition letters to your elected officials, and engage with state-level legislation. More than 268 community groups across 37 states are actively fighting data center developments. We can research your local officials and send a personalized opposition letter on your behalf for you.
How much water does a data center use?
A single hyperscale data center can consume up to 1 million gallons of water per day during peak cooling. AI data centers consumed roughly 17 billion gallons nationally in 2023, projected to reach 68 billion gallons by 2028.
Do data centers lower property values?
Research consistently shows that proximity to industrial infrastructure — including data centers — can negatively impact residential property values. Windowless warehouse-scale buildings, diesel generators, and continuous noise are incompatible with residential neighborhoods.