Hochul’s data-center ban: Letters to the Editor — July 17, 2026

New York Governor Kathy Hochul's one-year ban on new large-scale data centers has drawn sharp criticism from readers, who argue the move will cost jobs, drive businesses to other states, and expose the state's energy policy failures. Critics say the ban is a short-sighted response to grid strain that unfairly targets AI infrastructure while ignoring broader energy mismanagement.

The Issue: Gov. Hochul’s one-year for now ban on building new large-scale data centers in New York. Once again, New York loses out by “pausing” the construction of data centers for one year “Kathy’s A.I. K.O.,” https://nypost.com/2026/07/14/us-news/hochul-orders-election-year-pause-on-new-large-scale-data-centers-to-power-ai-in-ny/ July 15 . It’s really no surprise though, just a string of poor decisions made to appease the overeducated “wokesters” that dominate this state. Think of all the jobs that we are losing out on. Think of the businesses that will migrate to friendlier states. Bill Isler Floral Park Data centers are money makers and develop jobs, but Gov. Hochul https://nypost.com/2026/07/15/opinion/hochuls-data-center-ban-is-a-loss-for-new-york-and-a-win-for-china/ says she’s banning them because they strain the energy grid. Huh? Then why is she banning gas appliances and gas heat? Gas supply is abundant, electric not so much. But when have we ever expected Hochul to be rational? Rob Feuerstein Staten Island Pausing state permits for new large data centers for up to one year is a short-sighted response to a real challenge. Huge facilities can strain electric grids, water supplies and local infrastructure, and New York is right to ensure ordinary ratepayers don’t subsidize corporate power use. But the answer is to make developers bear those costs — not to suspend projects indiscriminately and risk the state’s economic and technological future. We do not have an AI crisis. We have an Albany energy-policy crisis. Todd Pittinsky Port Jefferson Under the governor’s incoherent energy policies, New York has leaned too hard on wind, solar and outdated nuclear plans while keeping rules and mandates that discourage natural-gas plants. The result is a mismatch: Electricity demand is rising, but new dependable supply is not arriving fast enough. Hochul’s temporary ban on critical data centers is nothing more than an attempt to conceal her incompetence and failures to deliver reliable energy for New York. Michael Mulhall Moseley, Va. The governor’s shortsighted decision to “study” the impacts of AI data centers for a year before deciding on what New York will do in this space is just another capitulation to the extremists in her party. This decision will just further alienate private-sector companies from coming to New York and incentivize those that are still here to leave. Peter Kelly Hazlet, NJ The Issue: The family of a tourist killed in a horse-carriage accident calls on the city to end the industry. It is sad that an accident by a horse-drawn carriage caused the accidental death of a teenage tourist “ ‘Let his death not be in vain,’ ” https://nypost.com/2026/07/15/us-news/family-of-teen-killed-in-horse-drawn-carriage-crash-begs-nyc-to-ban-the-industry/ July 16 . But the number of horse-carriage accidents is dwarfed by the number of accidents involving motorized vehicles in New York City. We are much safer in the carriages. Lydia DiBello Bay Ridge Any death is sad, but it strikes me as ironic that Deepak Mahajan said his son’s death would not have happened had there been a ban on carriage horses. Why did he take his family on the carriage ride if he felt unsafe? Why did the driver leave the carriage to take the picture? Rules are in place to keep horses and riders safe. The carriage driver has culpability for leaving the carriage unattended to take the picture. That being said, the horse-drawn carriage industry should not be banned but rather there should be tighter enforcement of the safety rules. Joanne Skibicki Manhattan There is a fanatical element among those who want to ban horse carriages. This rush to judgement is preventing a full investigation. A police detail should be assigned to protect the horses, the drivers and therefore the public. Diane Moriarty Manhattan Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts along with your full name and city of residence to letters@nypost.com. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.