Rep. Mike Lawler on Data Centers: N.Y.’s Decision of an Outright Ban, Is Only Going to ‘Negatively Impact Its Economy’

RUSH EXCERPT:
LAWLER: "I think one of the things I have heard from constituents has been focused around energy consumption, water consumption, environmental impacts. And those are issues certainly worth discussing it one of things I have talked about repeatedly in New York is its disastrous energy policies for utility rates are up 58% and New York State over the last six years because Kathy Hochul shut down nuclear power, bandit natural gas, blocked a pipelines until they are hanging their hat on that is part of their Rationale to stop data centers. While there are real issues to discuss in their art regulations to put in place, New York’s decision to do an outright ban is only going to negatively impact its economy. And its continued downward spiral when it comes to tax revenue. We have seen trillions of dollars leave New York State over the last decade because of a high tax, high regulatory burden. It’s got the worst business climate in the country and Kathy Hochul just double down on it. So this is a major problem for the other thing I would add, when it comes to China we have to be smart about this. The fact is we are in a race on quantum computing right now. Ibm is headquartered in my district quantum computing research facility is in my district. The battle over a.I., the battle over quantum computing is happening with the China and we have to be smart about the way we regulate to make sure a.I. Operates out of the United States. We do not want offshore we do not want our companies moving overseas or worse, cooperating with China when it comes to a.I. It has serious national security implications. Met with the Pentagon this week and without getting into the specifics this is a major concern as we move forward on national security."