WRGB Albany: Hochul convenes statewide roundtable after moratorium on large-scale data centers

July 16th, 2026

by Quinn Alexander, July 16, 2026

Watch the full piece here.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says New York’s electric grid cannot currently support a hyperscale data center without risking shortages or higher costs for customers, as her administration pauses large-scale projects to weigh their impact on communities and the state’s energy system.

Two days after issuing an executive order declaring a moratorium on large-scale data centers, Hochul convened leaders from across the state for a roundtable discussion on the issue.

“We want to step back and make sure that New York is not only just first, but we’re the first to get it right,” Hochul said.

State Assemblymember Didi Barrett said residents are looking for clarity about what large-scale data centers could mean locally.

“People want to understand the impacts of these large-scale data centers on our natural resources, on our communities and on our energy costs,” Barrett said.

Affordability was a key concern raised during the discussion. CBS6’s Quinn Alexander asked Governor Hochul whether the current grid could sustain a data center or whether updated infrastructure would be needed, Hochul said the system is not ready.

“We cannot, that’s a simple answer. I cannot support with the current grid without either creating shortages for existing businesses and families or driving up costs for rate payers,” Hochul responded.

Rob Simpson, CEO of CenterState, proposed that because the grid would need to be modernized anyway, large tech companies should help pay for infrastructure upgrades before building in New York.

“To require large-scale partners from out of state with deep pocketbooks to help support the modernization of the grid that can help New Yorkers. This has to be done thoughtfully; this has to be done right,” Simpson said.

Earlier this week, Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United, said some of the state’s energy challenges stem from past decisions.

“We have really imposed these restrictions on ourselves. We have cut our ability,” Wilcox said.

Hochul said she hopes a plan will be established in the coming months as the state considers how to move forward with data centers after the moratorium ends.

“I wanna make sure that every community in New York that wants to do this, again, this is a choice. If your community wants to embrace this after the moratorium is over, I wanna make sure that you have literally a template, a framework,” Hochul said.