AI Matters
Why it matters
New York halts construction of new hyperscale data centers
The Verge AI New York becomes the first state to enact a data center moratorium
Governor Kathy Hochul signed a temporary moratorium blocking environmental approvals for new large-scale data centers in New York.
Why it matters
This first-of-its-kind statewide ban highlights growing concerns over the massive electricity and water demands of AI infrastructure.
Latest brief · Jul 22, 2026