New York’s bid to lead in artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing is colliding with a self-inflicted obstacle: restriction of the electricity supply required for economic expansion.

Investments in these sectors present meaningful economic opportunity, but that promise — and the jobs and capital that accompany it — is at risk without pragmatic changes to energy and infrastructure policy.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has made clear the importance of AI, semiconductors and other advanced sectors for New York’s future. But these power-intensive businesses cannot thrive without significant investment to modernize aging energy infrastructure and generation facilities. Without adequate electricity supply and supporting infrastructure, these companies and the opportunities they represent will set up shop elsewhere.

Inexplicably, rather than expanding energy supply, state policies have reduced it. From limiting new pipeline development to preventing the modernization of aging plants, the state is constraining energy supply while energy costs continue to rise.

The scale of this challenge is laid bare in the most recent grid reliability assessments, which reveal a staggering spike in power requirements.........

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