The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Town of Guilderland
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Pro-Data Center Policies
Guilderland has enacted a one-year moratorium blocking data-center applications and development, including construction, modification, and expansion; whether existing centers must stop operating is unclear.
Rating from New York statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Town of Guilderland.
current law · Town of GuilderlandEstablishes a binding one-year moratorium on data-center applications, construction, use, and placement in the Town of Guilderland, covering facilities used for server operations, cryptocurrency mining, blockchain authentication, artificial-intelligence processing, and other large-scale computing or data storage, as reflected in the adopted local law.Town of Guilderland Local Law Establishing a One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers (2026)
What this means
The measure would impose a one-year moratorium that blocks data-center applications and development, including construction, modification, and expansion. That is a major temporary barrier, though the source does not clearly say whether existing data centers must stop operating.
Timing
- Ends
- one year from the effective date of the Local Law, unless renewed; or earlier if the Town Board adopts a resolution stating that the need for the moratorium no longer exists
The moratorium begins upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State. It applies to data-center applications, construction, use, and placement. The law may be renewed, and all other provisions remain.
People behind it
- Town Board of the Town of Guilderland
Proposed and enacted Local Law No. 5 of 2026, imposing the one-year moratorium on data centers.
- Supervisor Peter Barber
Moved to adopt Local Law No. 5, including changing the moratorium from six months to one year and removing the relief provision.
- Councilman Santos
Seconded the motion to adopt Local Law No. 5.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements5
Imposes a one-year moratorium on data-center applications, construction, use, placement, installation, erection, modification, and enlargement in the Town.
Prohibits the Town from accepting, processing, or approving any application for siting, establishment, placement, installation, construction, erection, modification, or enlargement of a data center during the moratorium.
The moratorium begins when the local law is filed with the New York Secretary of State and expires after one year unless renewed, or earlier if the Town Board determines by resolution that the moratorium is no longer needed.
Violations are subject to a civil fine of up to $5,000, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate violation.
The definition of data center broadly covers facilities with multiple computer banks, modular processor facilities, server clusters, cryptocurrency-mining and blockchain operations, artificial-intelligence processing, general data computing, and electronic data processing or storage.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data