NEW New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a decree suspending the environmental permits of huge data centers that are rapidly proliferating in line with artificial intelligence and increasing computing demands for up to one year.
In the statement made by the New York Governor's Office, it was stated that Hochul signed a decree to set standards in data center development and create a road map to support local governments.
In this context, it was stated in the statement that environmental permits for newly constructed centers were temporarily suspended for up to one year in order to create a regulatory framework that would protect bill-paying subscribers, the environment, the energy grid and communities across the state and lead the country, and it was emphasized that this was the first decision taken at the state level in the USA.
The statement emphasized that New York is experiencing unprecedented growth in data center development demand driven by artificial intelligence and other computing operations, and that this increase in demand may require huge amounts of energy and water to run and cool thousands of computer servers.
Additionally, the statement said Hochul is working on legislation that would repeal sales tax exemptions for massive data centers across the state.
Governor Hochul, whose evaluations were included in the statement, emphasized that the state has always been at the forefront of innovation and change, but also ensured that New Yorkers benefit from it.
Pointing out that data center development activities carry the risk of increasing public service bills, depleting natural resources and creating uncertainty for New Yorkers, Hochul noted that there is a responsibility to take action in this environment.