The state of New York, by announcing a one-year ban on the construction of large data centers, has become the first state to make such a decision. According to the decision of Democratic governor Kathy Hochul, the construction of data centers with a capacity of 50 megawatts or more will be halted until responsible standards for the development of these facilities are reviewed and established.
Across the United States, calls to halt the construction of data centers are increasing due to concerns about environmental pollution, rising energy costs, and the depletion of water resources. At the federal level, prominent senators such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have proposed a nationwide ban, although opposition from Republicans and Trump's claim that it would weaken America's position in the artificial intelligence competition have prevented the plan's implementation.