The New York legislature has passed legislation placing a one-year moratorium in the state’s issuance of new data center permits with a peak electricity load over 20 megawatts. In addition to the one-year permit moratorium, the Responsible Data Center Development Act requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to hold an in-person public hearing, with the applicant assuming all costs, within the affected community at least three months before issuing a permit and issue a statewide environmental impact report on data center development. In collaboration with various environmental agencies, new energy efficiency goals will also be established, along with a prevailing wage requirement on future data center development projects. Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has until Dec. 31 to decide whether she will sign or veto the bill.