Jasper Ward, reporting for Reuters:

New York became the first U.S. state on Tuesday to halt construction ​of large new data centers, imposing a one-year moratorium as concerns grow that the facilities driving the artificial-intelligence boom are raising power costs, straining water ‌supplies and burdening local communities.

…

“As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, deplete our natural ​resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. She added that she would ​also pursue legislation to repeal sales tax exemptions for large data centers.

The construction ban will apply to data centers that use 50 megawatts ⁠or more of power, officials in the governor’s office said.

The legislation Kathy Hochul signed into law today was Senate Bill S10642, also called the Responsible Data Center Development Act. Politicians on both sides are effectively using AI and related industries like a punching bag lately, but with little actual progress to show for all the rhetoric. In this case I believe it’s actually a positive move as it concerns the people who actually live here. 🥂🚫🔌