New York needs data center pause

Artificial intelligence use is outpacing computing capability, putting critical economic systems and national security at risk. We are struggling to meet the technology’s physical infrastructure needs.

That voracious demand has led to hundreds of massive data centers springing up around the country like Gold Rush boomtowns. And those data centers require inordinate amounts of energy — in some instances, enough energy to power 100,000 homes — to operate.

The federal government, in a presidential executive order last July, identified data center construction as a national priority. The executive order cites “national security, economic prosperity, and scientific leadership” as reasons for “rapid and efficient buildout” of data centers and the “infrastructure that powers them . . .” But there are no federal registration requirements for data centers, just some permit requirements, according to the Pew Research Center.

New York State lawmakers recently passed the bipartisan Responsible Data Center Development Act, which would implement a one-year moratorium on new data centers. Gov. Kathy Hochul should sign it into law to give the state time to responsibly manage data center approvals.

At least 14 states are considering moratoriums, and a New York Times analysis earlier this year found more than 100 moratoriums are under consideration around the country. Particularly in dense areas with sensitive environments like Long Island, a moratorium makes sense. The Island’s power grid and sole-source aquifer are not a good match for supporting a hyperscale data center of 250,000 square feet that requires 100 megawatts or more of energy and significant water for cooling. (The alternative, closed-loop cooling systems, need further scrutiny.)

Data center siting requirements are complex and require expertise, not expedited approvals despite projections that computing demand will triple by 2030. The added demand for energy from multiple Long Island projects, exacerbated by the federal pullback from renewable sources, would push the power grid beyond capacity. The federal government’s announcement this week that it would provide $17.5 billion to fast-track 10 new nuclear reactors to power data centers nationwide is a long-term solution not expected to make an impact until the mid-2030s.

Business groups and developers oppose a blanket moratorium as a clumsy tool that will stunt growth. But a pause is needed before we allow more data centers — there are 10 on the Island now, according to Data Center Map’s website — without knowing the full impact. Localized proposed moratoriums, like in Brookhaven, won’t prevent data centers from affecting areas outside their boundaries because large data centers have regional impact. A statewide moratorium will give regional planners time to analyze the utility trade-offs of data centers with potential community benefits.

AI use is colliding with energy demands. There’s too much at stake to not pause to figure out the impacts to host communities. A 12-month moratorium won’t eliminate the demand for data centers in New York or the energy needs, but it would give state lawmakers a chance to enact public safety requirements to enable growth and economic benefits while protecting homeowners and the environment.