Gov. Hochul orders a pause on data centers in New York for up to a year : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-07-14 15:24:00 — www.npr.org
President Trump Opposed State Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Industry
As New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order pausing the construction of large data centers—the first statewide pause of its kind in the country—attention has turned to how leaders at both the state and federal levels are responding to the rapid growth of these energy-intensive facilities.
Within this debate, President Trump’s stance on the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers stands out. According to the report, at one point, President Trump told states not to regulate the artificial intelligence industry. He later stated that he would get tech companies to ensure their data centers would support their own energy needs.
Trump’s position reflects a broader federal ambiguity on how to address the environmental and economic impacts of hyperscale data centers, which are critical for powering AI and internet services but also raise concerns about energy consumption and local community effects.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Approach
The excerpt does not provide evidence of false claims or direct attacks by Trump in this context, but it does highlight his clear opposition to state-level regulation of the AI industry. This position is notable as states like New York, Maine, and Virginia move forward with their own policies—ranging from moratoriums to new taxes on data center energy use—aimed at protecting consumers and managing energy demand.
Conclusion
President Trump’s approach, urging states not to regulate the AI industry and instead relying on tech companies to manage their own energy needs, contrasts sharply with the growing bipartisan movement at the state level to impose stricter oversight on data centers. As more states consider similar measures, the divide between federal and state strategies for managing the digital infrastructure powering modern life is likely to remain a key issue in the ongoing debate over technology, energy, and regulation.