newsletter.semianalysis.com/p/everyone-says-datacenter-moratoriums
1 correction found
New York has stopped issuing environmental permits for datacenters
New York did not stop permits for all data centers. Governor Hochul’s July 14, 2026 order applies to new hyperscale/large data centers, and DEC may still issue permits for applications already deemed complete.
Full reasoning
This sentence overstates the scope of New York’s action.
On July 14, 2026, Governor Hochul announced a moratorium on new hyperscale data centers, not all data centers. The official press release says she signed an executive order creating "the nation's first moratorium on new hyperscale data centers." The same release says DEC "will not issue any discretionary permits not already deemed complete" during the GEIS process.
So two important limits are missing from the article's wording:
- The moratorium is not for all data centers — it is for new hyperscale/large projects.
- It is not a total stop on all permitting activity — applications already deemed complete are excluded.
Because the article says New York has stopped issuing environmental permits for "datacenters" generally, readers could incorrectly conclude that every data center project in New York is covered. The official order is narrower than that.
2 sources
- First Statewide Moratorium on New Hyperscale Data Centers Launched by Governor Kathy Hochul | Governor Kathy Hochul | New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed an Executive Order to create the nation's first moratorium on new hyperscale data centers... During the development of this GEIS... the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will not issue any discretionary permits not already deemed complete.
- 2025-A11560 (ACTIVE) - Summary | New York State Assembly/NYSenate bill page
Places a one year moratorium on the issuance of data center permits... 'LARGE DATA CENTER' SHALL MEAN A DATA CENTER THAT HAS A PEAK DEMAND OF TWENTY MEGAWATTS OR MORE.