SIIA Statement on New York State Data Center Moratorium Executive Order

The following statement in response to the executive order signed yesterday by New York Governor Kathy Hochul barring the construction of new large-scale data centers using 50 megawatts or more of power for up to a year can be attributed to Paul Lekas, Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Affairs, the Software & Information Industry Association.

While we share Governor Hochul's commitment to grid reliability and ratepayer protection, a blanket moratorium sends the wrong signal at a critical moment and risks putting New Yorkers at an economic disadvantage. Sustaining New York's leadership in technology, finance, and information services requires a robust and resilient digital infrastructure. New York can achieve this and realize the goals of the executive order - community investment, keeping energy costs down, protecting the environment, and modernizing the grid - by working collaboratively with industry and community stakeholders. The potential downsides of the moratorium are simply too significant.