New York's Data Centers Moratorium (with State Senator Kristen Gonzalez)

On this episode of Closed!, Lee sits down with NY State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who represents District 59 in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and serves as Chair of the Senate Internet and Technology Committee, to discuss her sponsorship of the Responsible Data Center Development Act. Senator Gonzalez breaks down why data centers have become such a pressing issue in New York, particularly as large language models and generative AI drive demand for hyperscale facilities that consume great amounts of energy and water. She explains the intentions behind the bill towards understanding the broader impact of large-scale data center development on New York’s energy grid, utility bills, environmental resources, and local communities. The conversation also covers what it means for New York to become the first state to pass a statewide data center moratorium, why community benefit agreements and labor standards matter, how local governments are facing pressure from major technology companies, and why Senator Gonzalez believes responsible planning is necessary to support innovation without placing the burden on everyday New Yorkers. To learn more about Senator Kristen Gonzalez and her work, visit nysenate.gov or follow her official account, @SenGonzalezNY. To learn more about Lee and Bergstein Flynn Knowlton & Pollina PLLC, visit bfkplaw.com