Columnist Joe Concha criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) for implementing a one-year ban on data center construction and said the state will fall behind.

"A de facto ban that tells the marketplace New York is closed for business."

Voters are looking for politicians to take decisive action to address concerns over the industry's rapid expansion.

New York became the first state to impose a moratorium on large-scale data centers, citing grid strain and higher costs for ratepayers.

If a state as large as New York can put a pause on permitting, developers have to assume it could happen anywhere, said one AI lobbyist.

Columnist Joe Concha criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) for implementing a one-year ban on data center construction and said the state will fall behind.

Data centers have drawn vocal opposition at local public meetings and in state capitols across the US.

New York business groups and unions oppose Governor Hochul's one-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers, rattling crypto miners and AI infrastructure