Governor Kathy Hochul just signed an executive order barring the state from approving data centers using 50MW or more.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images
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 attempt to enact bans. A moratorium was recently passed by Maine’s 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, deplete our natural resources and create uncertainty for New Yorkers, it’s my responsibility to take action and lead,” she said.
After 10 years of homeownership, I’ve had my fair share of pricey expenses.
Washing machine won’t complete a wash cycle? That’ll be $330 for the labor and part swap. Fireplace won’t stay lit? Goodbye $460 for the cleaning and inspection — plus another $900 for a new pilot light.
Then there are the never-ending water heater issues that seem to cost me $1,000-plus every other year.
Unexpected financial hits are par for the course when it comes to owning a home. But with the right strategy, they can also create opportunities.
With thousands of dollars in spending on the horizon, I realized I could use those unavoidable expenses to earn enough points and miles for a bucket-list business-class trip.
Here’s how I’ve handled home expenses so far — and why I’ve changed my strategy now.
The card offered perks I knew I’d use — including a $300 annual Capital One travel credit applied to bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal and lounge access at my two home airports — plus a simple earning structure that works well for everyday spending.
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GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
You’ll earn:
10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases
The last earning rate for all other purchases is what particularly caught my eye, as this catch-all category for everyday expenses offers more miles per dollar than what you’ll get with many other general travel cards.
While I knew I’d take advantage of it for pet-related purchases and other items rarely included as an elevated earning rate category, I also liked having a reliable card for large home-related expenses, from annual maintenance to unexpected repairs.
Relying on my Venture X for home-related purchases for the past few years has served me well so far.
In fact, I’ve racked up enough miles to cover several nights of a weeklong stay at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados and partially cover an upcoming five-night stay at Amansara in Cambodia, both through Capital One’s “cover travel purchases” fixed-value redemption option.
ALL ACCOR
Knowing I was about to begin a major home renovation project in the form of a top-to-bottom, start-from-scratch refresh of my kitchen alongside significant updates to my living room, it seemed like the perfect time to add another card to my wallet.
I knew a few appliance purchases would easily satisfy a welcome-bonus spending requirement, so it felt like the perfect time to open a new premium credit card.
Since I’d owned most of my furniture for a decade, replacing it alongside the renovation suddenly made sense. I wanted my home decor to match the new cabinetry, stone, paint and appliances I’ve selected.
At the time I applied, the card was offering the opportunity to earn 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (no longer available).
A United Airlines plane on final descent into Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Since United has a major presence at Dulles International Airport (IAD), a hub I use frequently, the card caught my attention quickly despite the United Club Card’s high $695 annual fee.
Then, things really clicked.
If I successfully earn both bonuses, I’d earn at least 100,000 miles with the United Club Card and 150,000 points with the Sapphire Reserve, the latter of which I could transfer to United MileagePlus, a Chase transfer partner, for a whopping total of 250,000 miles.
Say no more. Within days of coming to that realization, I applied for both cards.
It didn’t take long to meet the spending requirement for my United Club Card‘s welcome offer. Just 24 hours after receiving the card in the mail, I purchased five new appliances. Within days, the offer’s 3,000 PQPs appeared in my MileagePlus account, and after my first billing cycle, the 100,000 miles were deposited.
BOB KRIST/GETTY IMAGES
Once I earn the 150,000 points with my Chase Sapphire Reserve and transfer them to my MileagePlus account, I have big plans for how I’ll use the bulk of the miles.
After visiting Asia for the first time this year, I already have my sights set on another new continent for 2027: South America.
As an architecture buff and lover of far-flung destinations that haven’t been spoiled by overtourism, I’ve long wanted to visit Easter Island.
Rapa Nui, as it’s known locally, is one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands and can only be reached by air from Santiago, Chile, or via select world cruise itineraries.
A world cruise is out of reach for me, so instead, I’ll fly from D.C. to Easter Island, with connections in Houston and Santiago, to finally see the island’s iconic moai in person.
United miles won’t cover the Santiago-to-Easter Island segment on LATAM, but they can cover the rest of the itinerary, including a nine-plus-hour business-class flight from Houston to Santiago. With the trip priced at nearly $11,500 in cash, it’s exactly the kind of redemption that makes my home renovation spending feel worthwhile.
Homeownership comes with plenty to celebrate — and plenty of expenses.
While there’s no way around the cost of maintaining and upgrading a home, there are ways to get more value from that spending.
In my case, a major renovation project is helping turn thousands of dollars in home expenses into a dream trip to Easter Island that would have otherwise been out of reach.
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