Zohran Mamdani Backs Data Center Moratorium in New York

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced he will call on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the 'Responsible Data Center Development Act', which extends and provides legal security to the state's existing data center moratorium.

Speaking at the People's AI Assembly, organized by the AI Now Institute and More Perfect Union, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his call for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the 'Responsible Data Center Development Act', which previously passed the state legislature. Mamdani answered affirmatively to this question at the event.

Governor Kathy Hochul had previously issued an executive order suspending new data center projects consuming 50 megawatts or more of power until the Department of Public Service completes an environmental impact review. Stating that the bill they support would expand this existing moratorium, Mamdani noted that it envisions lowering the threshold to 20 megawatts and requiring data centers over 5 megawatts to comply with renewable energy and labor standards. Supporters of the bill worry that Hochul's executive order could be modified or revoked by future administrations.