(Central News Agency, New York, 4th, Comprehensive Foreign News) The New York State Assembly passed a bill tonight to suspend the issuance of new data center construction permits for one year, potentially becoming the first such legislation in the United States.
According to AFP, the bill has been sent to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who may sign it into law or exercise her veto power.
If Hochul signs the bill, New York would become the first state in the U.S. to impose a moratorium on data centers. Data centers are critical infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) companies, as the operation of related programs relies on these facilities.
The bill also stipulates that once the moratorium ends, all new data center applications must be presented in a public meeting before the government can issue permits.
The New York Governor's office has not yet responded to AFP's request for comment.
A spokesperson for New York State Senator Liz Krueger confirmed to AFP that the bill had passed. Krueger's previously drafted bill was ultimately incorporated into the text of the bill passed tonight.
The northeastern U.S. state of Maine also passed a similar bill in April, but Governor Janet Mills ultimately vetoed it, citing that the bill did not exclude local data center projects.
American public sentiment against data centers is growing. A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University earlier this year showed that 65% of Americans oppose building data centers in their own communities.
In recent years, data center construction costs in the U.S. have surged. To compete for leadership in the AI field, tech companies are pouring billions of dollars into building infrastructure.
Critics point out that data centers consume high amounts of electricity, putting pressure on local power grids and driving up electricity bills, while also using large amounts of water, generating noise, and creating relatively few jobs. (Translation: Zhang Xiaowen) 1150605
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- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: 政策