When did progressives become so obsessively afraid of the future?

We ask as New York’s Legislature moves to ban new data-center construction over a host of completely spurious concerns, denying Empire State workers the jobs and other economic opportunities the facilities offer.

Just as the state a decade ago banned fracking, a practice that’s still enriching communities right next door in Pennsylvania 15 years later, with absolutely zero sign of any of the perils cited to stop it here.

Our lawmakers oppose anything that promises strong state economic growth, it seems; and so New York loses ever more ground to the rest of the country (aside from other deep-blue states whose progressives choose the same disastrous course).

It’s only a one-year moratorium, pols like state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins protest: “We believe that we can get this right” if they “just put a pause on the application process.”

That was how then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo pitched his initial fracking ban — but that led inexorably to a permanent legislative ban; they always start with a “pause.”

The supposed dangers are ridiculous: imaginary threats to water supply (same as with fracking!), strains on the power grid and even supposed pollution  . . . from buildings that basically hold a ton of computer power: Don’t breathe near your iPad!

In fact, data centers use less water than most industrial facilities; anyone planning to build one around here will figure out electric supply (quite possibly constructing their own power plant) before the first shovel hits the dirt.

The fears are nation-wide: Gallup reports opposition is even stronger than to putting up new nuclear power plants (which are also perfectly safe, for what it’s worth) in the area.

How did that hysteria build?

Evidence suggests Beijing is eager to block US data centers to cripple the AI industry that needs them, so that China can seize the lead on the key technology of the future.

It’s surely no coincidence that the Chinese Community Party’s best buds in America, such as the Singham activist network, are all-in on pushing opposition to AI and data centers.  

Gov. Kathy Hochul has a clear duty to veto this “moratorium,” and we see good reason to hope she will.

At an Association for a Better New York breakfast in March, Hochul vowed to have New York lead the nation in AI innovation and AI job creation, while also suggesting data centers should “either create their own power” or “contribute more to New York’s energy infrastructure.” 

The gov can also count on support from the construction unions, which understand that the ban would cost their members top-dollar work.

If Hochul doesn’t veto this nonsense, she’s putting a giant “Stay Out!” sign for any company that’s looking to come here, because a data-center ban proves that New York doesn’t even want a bright future.