Governor Kathy Hochul announced a one-year moratorium on new environmental permits for data centers drawing 50 megawatts or more of power, making New York the first U.S. state to take such action. The policy, effective from July 14, also directs development of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement and signals intent to repeal sales-tax exemptions. A separate bill setting a 20-megawatt threshold awaits the governor's signature.