Pakistan, July 15 -- New York has become the first U.S. state to impose a one-year moratorium on the construction of large new data centres, citing growing concerns over rising electricity costs, environmental impacts and pressure on local communities caused by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the executive order on Tuesday, saying the state must act as data centre development increasingly threatens to drive up utility bills, consume natural resources and create uncertainty for residents.

The temporary ban applies to new data centres requiring 50 megawatts or more of electricity. During the one-year moratorium, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ...