In the Finger Lakes Region, Governor Hochul Highlights First Statewide Moratorium on New Hyperscale Data Centers as Support Continues to Grow

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has highlighted the first statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers and announced the creation of a new Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity, and Trust (DIGIT) to regulate large frontier AI developers. The announcement was made in the Finger Lakes region.

The moratorium applies to new hyperscale data centers, though the exact duration and scope were not specified in the release. DIGIT will be tasked with overseeing large frontier AI developers, presumably those operating or seeking to operate in New York. The office's name suggests a focus on governance and trust in digital innovation.

Hochul emphasized that growing support for this approach drove the decision. The move positions New York as a proactive regulator of AI infrastructure, following other states and nations in addressing the environmental and economic impacts of data centers. Further details on the moratorium's timeline and DIGIT's authority are expected to be released later.