When New York enacted the nation’s first state-level moratorium on data center development, resident Adrienne Yocina felt a sense of relief. For two years, the western Genesee County organizer had fought to block a massive 600-megawatt data center planned near a federal wildlife refuge and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s reservation.
Political Compromises and Community Concerns
Nearly four months into the one-year pause, Yocina expressed anxiety that New York Governor Kathy Hochul might not approve a stricter bill or ensure proper environmental evaluation. Speaking to WIRED, Yocina stated that she feels the governor is merely attempting to quiet local opposition. Across the country, data centers have emerged as key issues in midterm races, with candidates from both parties pledging stricter regulations and development moratoriums. As newly elected officials take office, they face the challenge of fulfilling these promises while evaluating large infrastructure projects against strong community resistance.
In July, Governor Hochul signed an executive order pausing development shortly after the state legislature passed a broader omnibus bill. The legislative proposal included stricter size limitations and required the Department of Environmental Conservation to perform comprehensive environmental reviews. Rather than signing that measure, Hochul issued her own executive order, though her administration indicated the legislative bill remains under review through the end of the year.
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, expressed support for the governor’s executive action. Gonzalez noted that Hochul’s office collaborated with her following the legislative vote to provide immediate relief. Following a summer tour across New York to discuss data center concerns with residents, Gonzalez reported to WIRED that constituents overwhelmingly favor more aggressive protective measures.
Gonzalez explained that local communities near existing facilities currently contend with noise and air pollution alongside increasing utility and water costs. She emphasized that while the temporary pause serves as an initial measure, additional steps are necessary. Ahead of the election, Hochul maintained a strong lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, bolstered in part by public trust regarding artificial intelligence and data center management. Recent polling indicated that 53 percent of voters trusted Hochul to handle these issues compared to 31 percent for Blakeman, who previously criticized the moratorium as an extreme measure.
Balancing Development and Local Resistance
During a Hudson Valley farm roundtable discussion with agricultural, environmental, and business leaders, Hochul highlighted her administration’s focus on stricter oversight. Flanked by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Gonzalez, Hochul told reporters she aims to collaborate with the legislature to ban tax breaks for data facilities. When asked how the state plans to manage ongoing opposition once the moratorium concludes, Hochul told WIRED that the pause allows communities the freedom of choice.
Hochul described the policy as democracy in action, noting that approved facilities must include strict guardrails, while communities rejecting projects should not have them forced upon them. However, a September Siena poll revealed that 63 percent of New Yorkers would oppose data centers in their areas even after the moratorium expires, with opposition rising to 75 percent among registered Democrats.
Newly elected governors nationwide face similar challenges, with research from MultiState showing at least 20 gubernatorial candidates having pledged data center pauses or stricter regulatory frameworks. Even incumbents in historically industry-friendly states like Texas and Pennsylvania have promised tighter oversight. For organizers like Yocina, who participated in local elections for the first time through this advocacy, the focus is now shifting. While recognizing the need for regional employment—noting her own youngest son joined the Army following a difficult job search—her group is currently brainstorming alternative development ideas for the disputed site.
The organizing group is actively exploring viable alternatives to a data center for the property.
