Data center CEOs urge smarter community standards over blanket bans

A data-center chief argues that statewide bans, like New York’s new moratorium, ignore the need for transparent, accountable development that benefits local communities.

A statewide pause on new large data-center construction was enacted in New York, with comparable measures being considered in Maine and Georgia. Chris Crosby, who leads Compass Datacenters, says such blanket prohibitions miss the core issue: communities need developers who act like long-term neighbors, covering costs for substations, transmission upgrades and water usage rather than shifting those expenses to ratepayers.

He warns that eliminating data centers would disrupt critical services such as online banking, hospital records and emergency response, underscoring their societal importance. Instead of bans, Crosby calls for higher standards that require transparent communication, measurable commitments and ongoing accountability throughout a project's life cycle. He suggests a uniform set of five questions for every developer to assess their willingness to invest in local infrastructure, workforce benefits and lasting operation. By applying these criteria, communities could secure jobs, tax revenue and infrastructure improvements while ensuring developers earn trust before breaking ground.