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ARTICLE · 15 JULY 2026

New York Executive Order Pauses Discretionary Data Center Permitting Pending Environmental Review And Grid Cost Mitigation Framework

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On July 14, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order (EO or Order) pausing the issuance of discretionary permits and similar forms of approval for the construction or expansion of data centers...

United StatesEnvironment
Jeshica Patel
Jeshica Patel
Steven Russo
Steven Russo
Stephen Malito
Stephen Malito
Robert M Rosenthal
Robert M Rosenthal

On July 14, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order (EO or Order) pausing the issuance of discretionary permits and similar forms of approval for the construction or expansion of data centers by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) until the Department of Public Service (DPS) submits its report of the final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and associated findings statement. The Order responds to increasing scrutiny of the impacts associated with large-scale data center development. While the Order does not prohibit data center development, it signals a more structured regulatory framework for projects using 50 megawatts or more of electric power because of their potential to impose significant demands on the electric grid and natural resources.

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