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 South Bristol
Pro-Data Center Policies
New York exempts qualifying data centers from sales taxes on certain equipment and services, subject to security and web-hosting conditions. An enacted order is also described as pausing some state environmental permits for new or expanded centers pending review, while excluding local permits and existing operations.
Rating and summary from New York statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Town of South Bristol.
pending · Town of South BristolWould prohibit data centers and artificial-intelligence computing facilities throughout South Bristol, including related buildings and infrastructure such as server facilities, backup generators, battery storage, cooling systems, substations, and transformers.New York South Bristol proposed zoning law to prohibit data centers and AI computing facilities (2026)
What this means
If enacted, the proposal would ban data centers and AI computing facilities throughout South Bristol, and also prohibit the supporting infrastructure they need (“No land in the Town” may be used). That would prevent new projects and expansion or operation involving prohibited uses, so it amounts to an outright ban within the town.
People behind it
- South Bristol Town Board
Began the process of enacting the proposed ban; the draft local law names it as the legislative body.
- Lisa Moore
Worked with the Community Engagement Committee to examine data centers and explore local protections.
- South Bristol Community Engagement Committee
Worked with Supervisor Moore to examine the issue and explore potential local protections.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Prohibits using any land in South Bristol for a data center or artificial intelligence computing facility.
Prohibits using land for accessory structures, uses, or infrastructure necessary to operate a data center or AI computing facility. Examples include server and computing buildings, backup power generation, battery storage serving these facilities, cooling and water supply systems, substations, and transformers.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
The data-center definition excludes facilities used primarily for internal operations by a licensed health care facility or provider, provided they do not operate as commercial data-processing or colocation facilities for unaffiliated entities. This means those qualifying facilities are outside the stated data-center ban.
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data