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 Highland
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Pro-Data Center Policies
Highland town has enacted a temporary pause on approvals, permits, and construction for large data centers, lasting 12 months with a possible extension to 24. It does not appear to restrict existing centers’ operations.
Rating from New York statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Town of Highland.
current law · Town of HighlandEstablishes temporary moratoria on data-center development and local land-use approvals for package plants and decentralized water and wastewater infrastructure in the Town of Highland.New York Local Law No. 1 of 2026 (Town of Highland)
What this means
The measure would pause approvals, permits, and construction of large data centers for 12 months, with a possible extension to 24 months, making new projects and expansions substantially harder. It does not appear to restrict operation of existing data centers, but the temporary pause is still a major barrier.
Timing
- Ends
- The data center moratorium expires 12 months after adoption; the package plant moratorium expires after 16 months.
The measure includes separate moratoriums on data centers and package plants/decentralized water and wastewater infrastructure. One notice states the moratorium lasts 12 months and may be extended up to 24 months, creating an inconsistency with the reported 16-month package plant period.
People behind it
- Town Board of the Town of Highland
Held the public hearing, approved and passed the moratoriums, and is responsible for reviewing and updating zoning laws and studying the impacts of data centers.
- Town of Highland
Enacted Local Law No. 1 of 2026 establishing the temporary data center moratorium.
- Highland Comprehensive Plan Committee
Developed the package plant moratorium as part of the town’s comprehensive planning process.
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- Town attorney
Drafted the data center moratorium law.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
A temporary moratorium bars approval, permitting, and construction of large-scale data centers for 12 months, with the possibility of extension for up to 24 months.
During the moratorium, the town must conduct a land-use review of data centers.
During the moratorium, the town must review and potentially amend its comprehensive plan and zoning law regarding data centers.
During the moratorium, the town must study the potential impacts of data center facilities and hold at least one public hearing.
Sources
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