New York State is considering legislation that would impose a two-year moratorium on new cryptocurrency mining operations at fossil fuel-burning power plants, joining a growing list of jurisdictions examining the environmental impact of energy-intensive data centers. The proposed bill aims to assess the effects of such facilities on the state’s climate goals and electricity grid. This move reflects broader concerns about the rapid expansion of data centers, particularly for cryptocurrency mining and AI, which consume vast amounts of power and water. The debate highlights the tension between technological growth and environmental sustainability, as states grapple with balancing economic development with climate commitments. Read the full article at: https://www.wired.com/story/new-york-is-the-latest-state-to-consider-a-data-center-pause/