Upstate United Rejects Gov. Hochul’s Data Center Moratorium

July 14th, 2026

The following can be attributed to Upstate United Executive Director Justin Wilcox. 

A letter from Upstate United in opposition to the Executive Order to implement a Data Center Moratorium can be found here.

“While we understand there are some valid concerns around data center development in New York State, many stemming from the state’s self-inflicted power generation shortage, executive action to enforce a moratorium on the development or construction for up to one year sends mixed signals. This will not only prolong uncertainty for companies looking to New York, but ultimately jeopardize potential investment, economic development and skilled jobs. 

“While states like Virginia and Texas are far more likely to be approached by possible developers, the fact of the matter is that a statewide moratorium strips away local control and a community’s ability to decide on projects that could be pivotal to their economic growth and job creation. We simply cannot claim to be a state at the forefront of AI innovation if we preemptively turn down opportunities that would help ensure that to be true.”

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