Amazon employees ask Seattle to put the brakes on new data centers
The Verge AI5 days agoRegulationSeattle’s City Council is set to vote on a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data centers after five projects were proposed in the city. Amazon employees, other tech workers, engineers, and residents testified in support, citing electricity demand, water use, noise, housing, transparency, and AI safety concerns. Supporters want stricter rules around renewable energy, public resource reporting, developer disclosure, and worker-led oversight.
New York lawmakers pass one-year ban on new data centers★ 72
The Verge AI9 days agoRegulationNew York lawmakers passed a one-year moratorium on new large data centers, pending Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision. Supporters say the pause would give the state time to study impacts on energy prices, electricity, water, land use, and pollution. The bill also requires companies planning data centers with at least 20MW peak demand to fund public hearings, while business groups warn a blanket pause could hurt the state economy.