New York just showed the country how to stop data centers

The debate over artificial intelligence data centers began a new chapter on July 14 when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the nation's first statewide moratorium on new data centers.

It was the right move – and a politically savvy one.

"New York has always been at the forefront of innovation and change but we've also always guaranteed that New Yorkers benefit," Hochul said in a statement. "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."