New York enacts first US ban on data center construction

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**Imran Shaikh** (0:30)
New York enacts first US ban on data-centered construction. More on that in moments, but first. Microsoft announced that a bunch of new adjustments are coming to the Windows search box in Windows 11 Each individual item is a minor improvement, but hopefully, in aggregate, the changes will add up to a better experience for search. Members of the Windows Insider program may now start seeing the changes beginning. The whole user experience for the Windows search box will be streamlined. The home screen has been paired back for less visual clutter, which should make it easier to access recent searches easily. The results display also looks cleaner, with larger spacing creating room to show useful metadata for hits. Users can now toggle whether they want to see hits from the web and the Microsoft Store beside the local results. Web searches will no longer show sponsored content, such as products and promotions at the top of the results. The improved search should also do a better job of finding both files and apps. After a long, not terribly successful push to try and make copilot happen, Microsoft has been shifting focus back toward making quality of life improvements to Windows 11 Remember, you can find the latest Gadget News, reviews, price drops, and more right now at engadget.com.

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**Imran Shaikh** (2:23)
New York has become the first US state to place a moratorium on the construction of data centers, the Washington Post reported. Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order pausing environmental permits for large data centers, consuming more than 50 megawatts, for up to a year. That would give state officials the required time to create rules protecting the electrical grid, environment, and local communities. New York will lead the way in creating the strongest standards in the nation for data center development, ensuring that when companies succeed because of New York, New Yorkers succeed too, said Hochul at a press conference. The order will take effect immediately and not affect projects that already have the required permits. The executive order is separate from New York's Responsible Data Center Development Act, recently passed by the state legislature last month.
That bill would have also banned data center permits for a year, while also requiring energy efficiency goals for data centers and specific benefits for host communities. Governor Hochul has yet to sign that bill but is considering it. She has previously expressed support for AI as a potential research tool and economic booster. In the face of public opposition to data centers, multiple states are attempting to enact bans. A moratorium was recently passed by main state legislature but was vetoed by Democrat Governor Janet Mills. Other states with legislation advancing include Washington, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and South Carolina. Local bans have also been enacted in cities like Seattle. Hochul, a pro-business moderate, initially said that data center bans should be left to cities and communities. Ahead of local elections, however, she decided to follow through on the moratorium. As data center development threatens to hike up utility bills, to plead our natural resources, and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it's my responsibility to take action and lead, she said.
Thanks for listening to the show. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Today's show featured journalism by Engadget contributor, Steve Dent, and was produced by Spoken Lair. I'm Imran Shaikh, and as always, we'll talk more tomorrow.
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