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The investment risks of AI data centers
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 23 [Category: Business] -- The Private Equity Stakeholder Project issued the following news:
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The investment risks of AI data centers
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From AI Boom to Investment Risk: Rethinking pension fund data center exposure
As community opposition, regulatory scrutiny, and infrastructure constraints mount, some public pension funds are beginning to reconsider their exposure to data center investments. Their decisions raise broader questions about the sustainability of the AI infrastructure boom and who ultimately bears its financial and environmental costs.
The rapid expansion
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 23 [Category: Business] -- The Private Equity Stakeholder Project issued the following news:
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The investment risks of AI data centers
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From AI Boom to Investment Risk: Rethinking pension fund data center exposure
As community opposition, regulatory scrutiny, and infrastructure constraints mount, some public pension funds are beginning to reconsider their exposure to data center investments. Their decisions raise broader questions about the sustainability of the AI infrastructure boom and who ultimately bears its financial and environmental costs.
The rapid expansionof artificial intelligence has fueled an extraordinary investment boom in data centers, with private equity firms, infrastructure investors, and technology companies committing substantial capital to build the physical infrastructure needed to power AI.
But as the industry races to expand, a different set of signals is emerging. Communities are increasingly challenging proposed developments, while policymakers are scrutinizing the economic and environmental costs of data center growth. For institutional investors, these pressures are translating into potentially material financial risks, including permitting delays, rising infrastructure costs, regulatory uncertainty, and questions about long-term demand and valuations. Together, these factors raise important questions about risk-adjusted returns and investors' fiduciary responsibilities.
An additional factor surfacing among institutional investors is exposure concentration as AI investments permeate across strategies and asset classes. Recent decisions by a few major public pension funds suggest that these concerns are beginning to influence institutional investment strategies.
Pensions & Investments reported that the $330 billion New York City pensions' Chief Investment Officer Monte Tarbox said that the AI boom echoes previous financial crises and that the city's systems "passed on a technology-focused private equity fund because of AI exposure concerns, both in that strategy and across the NYC portfolios."
P&I also reported that the $3.1 billion Jacksonville Police & Fire Pension Fund declined to make a new commitment to Blue Owl Capital's Digital Infrastructure Fund IV, citing concerns about political opposition, utility access, regulatory uncertainty, and community resistance. Meanwhile, the $66.7 billion Arizona State Retirement System is exploring ways to reduce its increasingly concentrated data center exposure. Data centers already account for approximately 13% of its $9.3 billion real estate portfolio, with that share projected to exceed 20% by the end of 2026 as development assets are revalued.
Community opposition is becoming an investment risk
As data center development accelerates, communities across the country are increasinglypushing back against proposed projects, raising concerns about noise, air pollution, environmental impacts, and quality of life. This growing opposition is already shapinglocal zoning and permitting decisions and promptinggreater scrutiny from state lawmakers. For developers and investors, these developments introduce mounting regulatory uncertainty, potential project delays, and financial risks that could challenge the pace and profitability of data center expansion.
In early September, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey issued an executive orderprohibiting state agencies from issuing permits for data center development without prior approval from the municipality where the project would be located. Meanwhile, in Vermont, local governments aremoving to ban data center development following Governor Phil Scott's veto of legislation that would have imposed stricter regulations on the industry. Indeed, lawmakers in 16 states engaged in policy discussions about banning datacenter development. Together, these developments illustrate how growing state and local scrutiny is creating new regulatory hurdles for data center expansion, potentially increasing permitting uncertainty, delaying projects, and raising financial risks for developers and investors.
Community opposition, legal challenges, and regulatory uncertainty are translating into financial risks for data center developers. In Virginia, QTS Data Centers and Compass Datacenters abandoned plans for the Prince William Digital Gateway, a proposed development involving tens of billions of dollars in investment, after a prolonged legal challenge resulted in the project's approval being overturned. In Pacific, Missouri, Beltline Energy withdrew its proposed $16 billion data center development in August 2026, shortly after local officials enacted a one-year moratorium amid community concerns about environmental impacts. Similarly, in Texas, Diode Ventures abandoned a proposed data center near Cedar Creek Reservoir following sustained community opposition over water consumption and concerns about local infrastructure. A July 2026 analysis by Carbon Direct identified at least 46 U.S. AI data center projects delayed or canceled following community opposition between January 2024 and May 2026, representing approximately $170 billion in announced investment.
A changing legislative landscape could reshape the economics of data centers
In addition to outright moratoriums, state policymakers are increasingly responding to concerns about the financial and environmental costs of data center expansion through other legislation addressing permitting, electricity affordability, water consumption, and public transparency. In September 2026, Californiaenacted seven data center bills, establishing new electricity and water reporting requirements, strengthening protections against shifting infrastructure costs onto ratepayers, and tightening environmental review requirements. In New Jersey, lawmakersestablished a separate electricity rate class for data centers and new energy requirements, alongside legislation requiring greater transparency about energy and water consumption. Oklahoma also enacted the Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, designed to protect existing utility customers from infrastructure costs associated with large electricity users.
Other states are introducing more direct constraints on development. New York lawmakers passed theResponsible Data Center Development Act, proposing a one-year moratorium on new permits for hyperscale data centers, environmental impact assessments, public hearings, and separate electricity and water rate classes. In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey issued a September executive order requiring local approval before state permitting can proceed, alongside new expectations for energy costs and environmental protections. Virginia has also approved legislation strengthening water-use reporting and emissions standards for data center backup generators. Together, these developments signal an evolving regulatory landscape in which developers and their financial backers may face greater compliance costs, longer approval timelines, and increased responsibility for infrastructure investments previously assumed to be borne by utilities or the public.
For private equity and infrastructure investors, these policy developments challenge a central assumption underpinning the data center investment boom: that projects can move rapidly from capital commitment to construction and revenue generation. As regulatory requirements evolve, investors may face longer development timelines, increased operating and infrastructure costs, and capital tied up in projects awaiting approval. These risks are especially consequential for speculative developments without secured utility access, permits, or long-term customers, raising questions about asset valuations, anticipated returns, and the potential for stranded investments.
The wider AI infrastructure ecosystem carries interconnected risks
Data center expansion is driving investment across electricity generation, transmission, natural gas infrastructure, water systems, construction, and land development. Private equity firms and institutional investors may hold overlapping interests across these sectors, creating cumulative financial exposures that are not always apparent at the individual project level.
These investments also raise questions about who benefits and who bears the costs. While developers, utilities, and technology companies may profit, communities and ratepayers can face higher infrastructure costs, environmental burdens, and forgo public revenue through subsidies and tax incentives. If anticipated demand fails to materialize, investors could face stranded assets while utilities and communities remain responsible for infrastructure built to support unrealized growth.
The central question is whether the pace, scale, and financing assumptions underlying AI infrastructure expansion remain sustainable as regulatory scrutiny, community opposition, and investment risks grow. For pension funds and private equity managers, greater transparency into ownership structures, cumulative exposure, project valuations, and environmental and community impacts is essential to protecting beneficiaries and ensuring accountability for the broader costs of the AI infrastructure boom.
What responsible investors should be asking
As AI infrastructure investment expands, private equity firms and institutional investors must look beyond projected returns to assess financial, regulatory, and community risks. Investors and asset managers are seeking to develop guidelines to support holistic risk considerations. Key questions include:
* Regulatory risk: Have projects secured permits, utility access, and local approvals? Could moratoriums or new legislation delay development?
* Infrastructure costs: Who bears the costs of electricity, water, and supporting infrastructure?
* Demand and valuations: Are returns backed by long-term tenants or speculative demand projections?
* Portfolio exposure: Are investors accounting for overlapping investments across data centers, energy, and related infrastructure?
* Community impacts: Are environmental justice concerns and community opposition reflected in investment diligence? How are impacts on electricity costs for utilities and consumers managed?
* Environmental impacts: How are developers mitigating impacts of water usage? How are developers determining power sources and emissions mitigation?
* Downside risks: How would delays, rising costs, or shifting hyperscaler demand affect valuations and exit opportunities?
These questions are particularly consequential for public pension funds responsible for protecting workers' and retirees' savings.
A potential turning point for AI infrastructure investment
The AI infrastructure boom is far from over, but growing community opposition, regulatory scrutiny, infrastructure constraints, and speculative development risks are challenging assumptions about its long-term profitability.
As stewards of long-term capital investors are exploring how to assess and manage these emerging risks before losses and costs are passed on to pension beneficiaries, ratepayers, and communities. Greater transparency, rigorous due diligence, and accountability across the AI infrastructure ecosystem will be critical as the next wave of investment takes shape.
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Original text here: https://pestakeholder.org/news/the-investment-risks-of-ai-data-centers/
SETI Institute and Royal Commission for AlUla Bring Two LaserSETI Stations to Saudi Arabia
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Oct. 23 -- SETI Institute, a research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity's quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe, issued the following news release:
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SETI Institute and Royal Commission for AlUla Bring Two LaserSETI Stations to Saudi Arabia
AlUla is now LaserSETI's first observing site in Asia, helping to expand a growing global network that watches the night sky.
At a Glance
* Two new LaserSETI stations at AlUla Manara in northwest Saudi Arabia are fully operational.
* AlUla is LaserSETI's
... Show Full Article
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Oct. 23 -- SETI Institute, a research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity's quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe, issued the following news release:
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SETI Institute and Royal Commission for AlUla Bring Two LaserSETI Stations to Saudi Arabia
AlUla is now LaserSETI's first observing site in Asia, helping to expand a growing global network that watches the night sky.
At a Glance
* Two new LaserSETI stations at AlUla Manara in northwest Saudi Arabia are fully operational.
* AlUla is LaserSETI'sfirst observing site in Asia and its fifth site worldwide, expanding the network's global coverage.
* LaserSETI continuously watches large areas of the night sky for brief flashes of light, including unusual astronomical events and potential signs of technology beyond Earth.
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October 22, 2026, Mountain View, CA and AlUla, Saudi Arabia - The SETI Institute and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) installed and commissioned two LaserSETI stations at AlUla Manara in northwest Saudi Arabia. With these new stations, AlUla becomes LaserSETI's first and only observing site in Asia and its fifth site worldwide, joining others in California, Hawai'i, Arizona and Puerto Rico.
The SETI Institute designed LaserSETI to keep a constant watch on large parts of the sky, looking for very brief flashes of light. These flashes might come from short-lived cosmic events, unusual astronomical phenomena or, potentially, laser technology beyond Earth.
Most telescopes focus on one object or a small part of the sky at a time. LaserSETI works differently. Its wide-field cameras and diffraction gratings watch large areas of the sky continuously, searching for events that conventional observations might miss.
This is why location matters. By spreading instruments around the world, the network can watch more of the sky for longer periods and compare unusual events seen from different places.
AlUla brings both geographic and environmental value to the network. Its protected dark skies provide favorable conditions for detecting faint optical phenomena, while its location in Asia extends LaserSETI's observational coverage into a new region.
"Two years ago, we announced our intention to bring LaserSETI to AlUla. Today, the instruments are installed, commissioned and observing the sky," said Dr. Franck Marchis, Senior Planetary Astronomer and Director of Citizen Science at the SETI Institute. "AlUla gives LaserSETI an important new geographic vantage point and connects this remarkable astronomical site to a growing global network. This is exactly what LaserSETI needs: instruments distributed around the world, observing continuously and together."
A New View of the Sky
The two stations were installed on August 19, 2026, at the AlUla Manara ASM Site and are now fully operational and actively collecting astronomical data.
"LaserSETI was designed from the beginning as a global observatory rather than a single telescope," said Eliot Gillum, Director of LaserSETI at the SETI Institute. "Adding AlUla extends the network into an entirely new geographic region. Every new location improves our ability to monitor the sky continuously and to compare observations of unusual events from different parts of the world."
"The commissioning of LaserSETI at AlUla Manara marks an important milestone in our collaboration with SETI Institute, translating our shared ambition into scientific capability on the ground," said Naif Al Malik, AlUla Manara Executive Program Head. "By connecting AlUla's exceptional dark skies to a global observation network, we are creating new opportunities for scientific research, international collaboration and knowledge exchange, while strengthening AlUla's growing role in astronomy and scientific discovery."
Building on a Growing Partnership
These new stations are part of a partnership between RCU and the SETI Institute, announced in August 2024 to support astronomy research, technology, education and public involvement in AlUla. The agreement includes support for developing the AlUla Manara Observatory and installing LaserSETI instruments.
The SETI Institute will run and maintain the AlUla stations for three years together with RCU. Observations from AlUla will contribute to the global LaserSETI network, allowing scientists to analyze and compare data collected from different geographic locations. AlUla Manara is also working with LaserSETI to customize data outputs for analysis, future research and scientific communications. The partnership includes scientific research and publication, along with opportunities to use results from the instruments for education and public outreach.
The next phase will focus on analyzing data collected by the system and developing further opportunities for research and international scientific partnerships. The work will also help demonstrate the quality of AlUla's dark skies and strengthen AlUla Manara's broader astronomy program, connecting dark-sky protection with science, technology, education and public engagement.
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About LaserSETI
LaserSETI is a project creating a global network of optical instruments to watch the night sky for brief flashes of light and other short events. By observing large parts of the sky continuously from different locations, LaserSETI makes it possible to spot short-lived astronomical events and expand the search for possible signs of technology beyond Earth.
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About the Royal Commission for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in northwest Saudi Arabia. RCU's long-term plan takes a responsible, sustainable and sensitive approach to urban and economic development while preserving the area's natural and historic heritage. Its initiatives span archaeology, tourism, culture, education, science and the arts and support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives.
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About the SETI Institute
Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity's quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the universe and to share that knowledge with the world. Its research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages expertise in data analytics, machine learning and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia and government agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.
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URL: The Royal Commission for Alula
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Original text here: https://www.seti.org/news/laserseti-stations-in-saudi-arabia/
[Category: Science]
Pa. Chamber of Business & Industry, 20 Organizations Issue Letter to Members of Allegheny County Council
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 23 (TNSletter) -- The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry issued the following letter with 20 organizations to Members of Allegheny County Council:
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Here is the text of the letter:
Oct. 19, 2026
Allegheny County Council
County Courthouse
436 Grant Street, Room 119
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2497
To the Honorable Members of Allegheny County Council:
We write on behalf of our organizations representing Allegheny County employers to urge you to hold off voting on the paid leave proposal and provide time and a process for thorough and thoughtful consideration
... Show Full Article
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 23 (TNSletter) -- The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry issued the following letter with 20 organizations to Members of Allegheny County Council:
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Here is the text of the letter:
Oct. 19, 2026
Allegheny County Council
County Courthouse
436 Grant Street, Room 119
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2497
To the Honorable Members of Allegheny County Council:
We write on behalf of our organizations representing Allegheny County employers to urge you to hold off voting on the paid leave proposal and provide time and a process for thorough and thoughtful considerationof perspectives from the employer community.
We appreciate the good intentions of this proposal and the amendments incorporated, ostensibly in response to concerns raised by the business community who would be responsible for administering and funding this program.
Despite these amendments, strong concerns remain and a survey of nearly 400 Allegheny County employers, conducted after the proposal was amended, demonstrates the dire, albeit unintentional, consequences this proposal would bring on the County's workforce, employers and economy. For example:
* 83 percent of respondents expect a negative financial impact to their organizations, with 63 percent rating the financial impact as "very negative."
* 40 percent expect to reduce hiring of new full-time employees, while 23 percent expect to reduce hiring of part-time employees.
* 33 percent said they would be more likely to open future locations outside Allegheny County, while 32 percent said they would move existing operations outside the county.
* 24 percent expect to eliminate full-time positions and 15 percent expect to eliminate part-time positions.
* 18 percent expect to close one or more locations in the county, while 14 percent say the proposal could force them to cease all operations.
Additionally, a report issued last week concluded the mandate could cost Allegheny County employers an estimated $297.1 million annually to implement, and that between 800 to as many as 1,500 jobs in the County would be lost.
Again, we urge you to at least take time to consider these impacts and engage with employers to fully understand the impact of this policy before proceeding to a vote.
Thank you for considering our views on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Alle Kiski Strong Chamber
Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania
LeadingAge PA
Manufacturer & Business Association
Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business - Pennsylvania
Northside North Shore Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers
Pennsylvania Association of Home and Community Based Services Providers
Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association
Pennsylvania Builders Association
Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council
Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
Pennsylvania Homecare Association
Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
Pittsburgh Business Exchange
Pittsburgh Regional Alliance
Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association
Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
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Original text and footnotes here: https://www.pachamber.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Letter-to-Allegheny-Co-Council-Paid-Leave.pdf
News Release here: https://www.pachamber.org/media/28904/pa_chamber_regional_business_leaders_urge_allegheny_county_council_to_postpone_vote_on_paid_leave_mandate/
[Category: Business]
Consumer Reports Calls for Millie Moon to Recall Its Diapers and Recommends That Parents Stop Using Them
YONKERS, New York, Oct. 23 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
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Consumer Reports calls for Millie Moon to recall its diapers and recommends that parents stop using them
October 22, 2026
* Consumers have reported hundreds of painful infant skin reactions--many of them severe and requiring medical attention--to the Consumer Product Safety Commission since the start of 2026
* Despite numerous parent and media reports, Millie Moon has taken no meaningful action to explain the injury trend, redesign its diapers, or provide remedies to families whose babies have suffered
... Show Full Article
YONKERS, New York, Oct. 23 -- Consumer Reports posted the following news release:
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Consumer Reports calls for Millie Moon to recall its diapers and recommends that parents stop using them
October 22, 2026
* Consumers have reported hundreds of painful infant skin reactions--many of them severe and requiring medical attention--to the Consumer Product Safety Commission since the start of 2026
* Despite numerous parent and media reports, Millie Moon has taken no meaningful action to explain the injury trend, redesign its diapers, or provide remedies to families whose babies have sufferedharm
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WASHINGTON, D.C.--Consumer Reports (CR) today called for Millie Moon to recall its diapers, based on the growing number and severity of incidents reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CR is advising parents and caregivers to stop using Millie Moon diapers while the cause of the infant skin reactions is investigated.
Gabe Knight, senior safety policy advocate for Consumer Reports, said, "When reports pour in of babies suffering painful rashes, and hundreds of them mention the same diaper brand, that's a serious problem that should prompt immediate action from the company and the government. Millie Moon should issue a recall together with the CPSC to prevent additional infants from being harmed.
"While we understand the company's investigation is ongoing, there are simply too many reported incidents and injuries to wait any longer. Diaper rash might be a common malady, but it's highly unusual for this many reports to be tied to one brand in such a short period. It's time for Millie Moon to take action to keep infants safe and provide meaningful remedies to families whose babies have suffered harm," Knight added.
More than 600 incidents involving Millie Moon diapers have been submitted to the CPSC this year, according to Consumer Reports' review of the agency's public database, SaferProducts.gov. Parents describe rashes, redness, bleeding, swelling, blisters, peeling, and other skin reactions. Numerous reports describe medical treatment, including at least three emergency-room visits. In CR's review, no other brand of diapers comes close to this level of incidents during the same period.
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Original text here: https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/consumer-reports-calls-for-millie-moon-to-recall-its-diapers-and-recommends-that-parents-stop-using-them/
[Category: Business]
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Joins Habitat for Humanity to Rebuild Homes After Palisades Fire
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 23 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Church Joins Habitat for Humanity to Rebuild Homes After Palisades Fire
22 October 2026
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined hundreds of volunteers in a three-day community rebuilding effort with Habitat for Humanity in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, to help wildfire survivors rebuild homes and restore their community.
Latter-day Saints volunteered alongside Los Angeles community members and celebrities for the event organized by Habitat for
... Show Full Article
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 23 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release:
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Church Joins Habitat for Humanity to Rebuild Homes After Palisades Fire
22 October 2026
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined hundreds of volunteers in a three-day community rebuilding effort with Habitat for Humanity in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, to help wildfire survivors rebuild homes and restore their community.
Latter-day Saints volunteered alongside Los Angeles community members and celebrities for the event organized by Habitat forHumanity, which began on September 23, 2026. The gathering focused on wildfire recovery, including rebuilding six homes and a community park.
The event was held at Habitat's base camp on the site of the former Corpus Christi Catholic Church rectory, which was destroyed in the fire.
"It is an honor to partner with respected organizations like Habitat for Humanity as they support the rebuilding and healing process in our community," said Chris Eastland, a local Church member who volunteered at the event.
The Church of Jesus Christ and volunteers from other organizations are also working to address the ongoing needs of wildfire survivors. The effort included work on fire-affected properties and neighborhood spaces, as well as preparing sites for rebuilding.
"We loved being able to provide tangible assistance to individuals directly affected by the fires and at the same time develop deeper connections with our neighbors as we served side by side in this effort," Eastland said.
Recovery efforts continue as families navigate the financial and practical challenges of rebuilding their homes.
In an interview with the Palisadian-Post, Erin Rank, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, described the organization's efforts to help wildfire survivors.
"We're focused on survivors who have a funding gap, and without assistance from groups like Habitat, they wouldn't be able to rebuild," Rank said.
According to Rank, 160 families were already rebuilding with Habitat's assistance, while another 167 were applying for aid. The organization is also working to provide specialized assistance to condominiums and mobile homeowners in Palisades.
The community build also brought together corporate sponsors to demonstrate how organizations and local volunteers can work together to address the long-term needs of wildfire survivors.
Through their collaboration, Church members joined a broader community effort to help survivors rebuild their homes and restore their neighborhoods.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-joins-habitat-for-humanity-to-rebuild-after-palisades-fire
[Category: Religion]
Center for a Humane Economy Celebrates NYC Council Vote to Phase Out Horse-Drawn Carriages
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Center for a Humane Economy posted the following news release:
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Center for a Humane Economy Celebrates NYC Council Vote to Phase Out Horse-Drawn Carriages
Wayne Pacelle applauds Speaker Julie Menin, bill author Christopher Marte, cosponsors, and Council members for advancing landmark legislation to protect horses and improve public safety
October 22, 2026
NEW YORK -- The Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action today celebrated the New York City Council's vote to phase out the city's horse-drawn carriage industry, marking a major milestone in the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Center for a Humane Economy posted the following news release:
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Center for a Humane Economy Celebrates NYC Council Vote to Phase Out Horse-Drawn Carriages
Wayne Pacelle applauds Speaker Julie Menin, bill author Christopher Marte, cosponsors, and Council members for advancing landmark legislation to protect horses and improve public safety
October 22, 2026
NEW YORK -- The Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action today celebrated the New York City Council's vote to phase out the city's horse-drawn carriage industry, marking a major milestone in thedecades-long effort to protect horses from the dangers of working in one of the world's busiest urban environments. The vote was 40 - 7 with two abstentions, and the bill now goes to Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his signature.
The organizations applauded Council Speaker Julie Menin for her leadership in bringing the legislation forward, as well as Council Member Christopher Marte, the bill's author, its cosponsors, and all Council members who supported the measure. The legislation, known as Romanch's Law, provides for the phaseout of horse-drawn carriages by June 1, 2028, while establishing a transition plan for carriage drivers and other industry workers.
"It's about damn time," said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. "As a high school student, I came to Central Park on a field trip and was so depressed seeing the overburdened horses and, in a separate enterprise, tigers and jaguars pacing back and forth in the concrete-and-steel Central Park Zoo. Those zoo exhibits shut down decades ago, and now we will see the carriage horses retired and carriage rides rapidly phased out in the heart of the city. Justice delayed but not denied."
This is a victory that belongs to the entire animal welfare movement, and especially to our friends at NYCLASS.
"We have been proud to stand alongside our friends at NYCLASS on this issue and are grateful for their tenacity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to protecting these horses," Pacelle said. "This achievement reflects years of dedicated advocacy and the determination of people who refused to give up on a more humane future for New York City."
The push to end horse-drawn carriages gained renewed urgency following the deaths of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who suffered fatal injuries in a carriage accident in Central Park in June, and Deniz, a 16-year-old carriage horse who died after reportedly consuming poisonous Japanese yew leaves.
Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy have pledged to help identify humane placement options for carriage horses whose owners relinquish them to qualified animal welfare organizations.
"We look forward to working with NYCLASS and other partners to help ensure that these horses have a safe and humane future beyond the carriage trade," Pacelle said.
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Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter
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Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News
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URL: Animal Wellness Action
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Original text here: https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/the-center-for-a-humane-economy-celebrates-nyc-council-vote-to-phase-out-horse-drawn-carriages/
[Category: Animals]
Animal Welfare Institute: New York City Council Votes to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Animal Welfare Institute issued the following news release:
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New York City Council Votes to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
AWI commends NYC for joining growing list of cities ceasing this cruel practice.
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October 22, 2026
New York, NY -- AWI commends the New York City Council for today passing Romanch's Law (Intro 943) by a vote of 40-7 with two abstentions, which will put an end to horse-drawn carriages in New York City. This change has been a long time coming: Efforts to bar New York's horse-drawn carriages date back decades due to serious animal welfare concerns
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Animal Welfare Institute issued the following news release:
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New York City Council Votes to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
AWI commends NYC for joining growing list of cities ceasing this cruel practice.
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October 22, 2026
New York, NY -- AWI commends the New York City Council for today passing Romanch's Law (Intro 943) by a vote of 40-7 with two abstentions, which will put an end to horse-drawn carriages in New York City. This change has been a long time coming: Efforts to bar New York's horse-drawn carriages date back decades due to serious animal welfare concernsand the danger posed to both people and horses. The bill is named after Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist who was tragically killed in June when the horse pulling the carriage in which he and his family were riding bolted. Over the years, numerous alarming incidents involving horse-drawn carriages in New York City have occurred, as outlined in a July report from the Manhattan borough president's office.
AWI testified before the New York City Council in support of Romanch's Law during its July 15 committee hearing. We have long noted that dense urban areas present a host of problems and create an unsuitable environment for these horses. Traffic, congestion, long hours, lack of access to pasture and minimal turnout, insufficient stable space, extreme temperatures, poor road conditions, exhaust fumes, loud noises, lights, carriage loads that may reach 3,000 pounds, and more all run counter to ensuring the welfare of the horses.
"This is a historic moment for New York City--one that New Yorkers and Americans across the country can be proud of. For far too long, these horses have been forced to endure a host of perils as part of the grueling reality of working in a highly urban setting," said Dr. Joanna Grossman, AWI's equine program director. "Our heart goes out to the family of Romanch Mahajan; we are grateful for their efforts to help ensure such a tragedy will never happen again. Thank you to Council Member Christopher Marte for sponsoring Romanch's Law and to Speaker Julie Menin for shepherding through this long-overdue measure. Today, New York finally moves to join the many cities around the world that have stopped horse-drawn carriage rides through their busy streets."
Today's news comes a week after Mayor Mamdani and Speaker Menin announced they had reached an agreement regarding the legislation. Romanch's Law was previously introduced as "Ryder's Law," named after the elderly horse who collapsed in Hell's Kitchen in 2022 while pulling a carriage in brutal heat. More recently, a 16-year-old horse named Deniz died while pulling a carriage through Central Park.
The newly passed legislation will make it illegal to operate a horse-drawn carriage in New York City starting in June 2028 and will prohibit the sale or transfer of the horses to slaughter. Rescues around the country exist to support retired horses: AWI co-leads the Homes for Horses Coalition, a national network of hundreds of equine rescue, sanctuary, and animal welfare organizations.
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About AWI
The Animal Welfare Institute (awionline.org) is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1951 and dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people. We seek to improve the welfare of animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and LinkedIn for updates and other important animal protection news.
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Original text here: https://awionline.org/news/new-york-city-council-votes-to-ban-horse-drawn-carriages/
[Category: Animals]
