STOP THE RUSH TO BUILD AI DATA CENTERS!

Advocates will urge Gov. Hochul to slow down and expand review process for data center moratorium, which currently leaves out major concerns like rising electricity bills and environmental impacts

ALBANY, NY (10/27/2026) (readMedia)-- On Wednesday, as the Public Service Commission (PSC) meets as part of the review process for Governor Hochul's data center moratorium, advocates will gather outside and urge the governor to slow down, expand the review process, and allow the public to meaningfully engage.

In September, the PSC released its scoping document that defined what the agency will review as it looks at AI data centers' impact on New York. But this scoping plan only looks at the grid's ability to handle data centers, and neglects rising electricity bills, air pollution, water consumption, impacts on local communities, and dangerous noise levels. The public was originally only given 30 days to comment, recently extended by two weeks but ending the day after a major election. There are no public hearings currently scheduled.

This process has been a rush job, cutting out the public and the public's major concerns even as polls show and Governor Hochul acknowledges that New Yorkers overwhelmingly oppose AI data centers. Advocates will demand Governor Hochul carry out a process that actually includes New Yorkers and addresses all of data centers' negative impacts.

**This event will be livestreamed**

WHO:

Frack Action, Citizen Action of NY, Catskill Mountainkeeper, NYPIRG, Seneca Lake Guardian, Food & Water Watch, Third Act of Upstate NY, Environmental Advocates NY, Alliance for a Green Economy, Progressive Schenectady, Capital District DSA, and more
WHAT:

 As the Public Service Commission meets as part of the review process for Governor Hochul’s data center moratorium, advocates will gather outside and urge the governor to slow down, expand the review process, and allow the public to meaningfully engage.
WHEN: Wednesday October 28, 2026 at 12:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Outside Department of Public Service Headquarters, Agency Building 3
S Mall Arterial
Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York 12223
NOTES: