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Key developments
New York approves statewide data center moratorium
New York lawmakers passed a one-year moratorium on new large data centers with 20 megawatts or more of peak demand. The measure is not yet law and still needs Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature; she has until December to decide. If enacted, New York would become the first state to impose a statewide pause while the environmental agency studies electricity demand, water use, land impacts, and related environmental effects.
Why it matters
It would set a major statewide precedent for slowing hyperscale data-center buildouts pending grid and environmental review.
Sources & driving stories
TECHRADAR · David Nield
TechRadar coverageTHE EPOCH TIMES · Nicholas Zifcak
The Epoch Times coverageIllinois pauses state tax incentives for data centers
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered a pause on state tax incentives for data centers after lawmakers failed to advance his plan to raise electricity rates for high-energy facilities. Pritzker said the move was meant to keep utility bills and clean-water costs from being shifted to residents, and he plans to revisit the issue in the November veto session. The order does not affect agreements already entered into before July 1, and companies can still pursue local tax relief.
Why it matters
Illinois is tightening the economics of new data centers and signaling that incentive support may depend on higher customer cost recovery.
Sources & driving stories
FORTUNE
Fortune coverageMaine vetoes moratorium, orders data center review
Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a statewide data-center moratorium bill but signed an executive order creating a council to evaluate policy tools for large-scale projects and report back by Jan. 29, 2027. The move came alongside escalating local opposition in Eastport, where residents pressed officials to halt DeepGreen's proposed tidal-powered underwater AI data center. Eastport councilors declined to impose a moratorium for now and instead voted to send the developer an objection letter.
Why it matters
Maine is choosing a formal policy review and project-by-project responses instead of an outright statewide shutdown.
Sources & driving stories
BOSTON GLOBE
Boston Globe coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Google raises $85B for AI infrastructure
WSJ reported Alphabet lifted its equity target to $85 billion and is pairing data-center growth with dedicated power strategy, including a Texas Panhandle project.
WORTH NOTING
PGE seeks 29% data-center rate increase
Portland General Electric filed to create a new large-load customer class, a sign utilities are trying to recast how data-center power costs are allocated.
WORTH NOTING
Hood County tightens project disclosure rules
The Texas county's new rules require more disclosure on water, energy, infrastructure, environmental impacts, and drainage for large industrial projects including data centers.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Hochul sign the New York moratorium?
Her decision will determine whether New York becomes the first state to formally pause large data-center permitting.
OPEN QUESTION
Can states redesign large-load tariffs fast enough?
Illinois and Oregon filings show growing pressure to shift grid and infrastructure costs away from residential ratepayers.