New York Responsible Data Center Development Act (S.10642 / A.11560) — One-Year Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium
New York · N.Y. S.10642 / A.11560 (2025–2026); The Responsible Data Center Development Act
New York's legislature passed a bill that would put a one-year pause on permits for the largest new data centers (peak load over 20 megawatts), require a public hearing before any future data center is approved, order a statewide study of data centers' energy and water use and pollution, create separate (higher) electric and water rate classes for big data centers so their costs aren't shifted onto households, and set labor standards for building them. If Gov. Hochul signs it, it would be the first statewide data center moratorium in the country.
Technical detail
The Responsible Data Center Development Act (S.10642 / A.11560) imposes a one-year moratorium on new permits for data centers with a peak load over 20 MW; requires a local public hearing before future permits; directs the Department of Environmental Conservation to produce a statewide environmental impact report (count, energy/water usage, pollution, e-waste); creates dedicated electric and water rate classes for >20 MW facilities; sets energy-efficiency goals for >5 MW facilities; establishes a host-community benefit program for >20 MW operators; and sets prevailing-wage/apprenticeship and US iron-and-steel labor standards for >5 MW construction. Cleared both chambers June 4, 2026; awaiting Governor's signature.
Who is protected: New York residents and utility ratepayers in communities near proposed large data centers
Who must comply: Developers and operators of data centers over 20 MW (and over 5 MW for efficiency/labor provisions) seeking New York permits
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | New York |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | Proposed / pending |
| Protection strength | Proposed or pending |
| Citation | N.Y. S.10642 / A.11560 (2025–2026); The Responsible Data Center Development Act |
| Enforced by | NY Department of Environmental Conservation; Public Service Commission (rate classes); local permitting authorities |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| Last verified | 2026-06-30 |
| Official source | NY State Senator Kristen Gonzalez Passes Data Center Moratorium, First in the Nation If Signed — NYSenate.gov ↗ |
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Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Emergency 365-day moratorium on new data centers (>20 MVA) · In effect
- Resolution setting Seattle data-center impact-study framework · In effect
- Six-month moratorium on data centers >350,000 sq ft (Minneapolis) · In effect
- Nashville/Davidson County temporary moratorium on data centers · Proposed / pending
- Two-year moratorium on data centers, crypto mining, battery storage · In effect
- One-year data-center moratorium in unincorporated Boone County · In effect
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