Local and state leaders, activists gather in Lansing to urge Governor Hochul to sign Responsible Data Center Development Act
On August 28th, local and state officials and activists gathered in Lansing, New York, as part of the "NY Fights AI Data Centers" tour. They urged Governor Hochul to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which aims to codify requirements for public participation, transparency, renewable energy use, and labor standards for data centers. The group also opposes a proposed TeraWulf data center on Cayuga Lake.
On August 28th, local and state officials, alongside activists, convened at Salt Point Natural Area in Lansing, New York, as part of the "NY Fights AI Data Centers" tour. The event, spearheaded by State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and environmental group Food & Water Watch, aimed to pressure Governor Hochul to enact the Responsible Data Center Development Act (S10642/A11560). This legislation, already passed by the state legislature, seeks to establish mandates for public involvement, transparency, renewable energy adoption, and labor standards in data center development.
Speakers at the gathering underscored the perceived inadequacies of Governor Hochul's existing Executive Order on data centers, advocating for the more stringent protections offered by the proposed bill. The tour, which ran from August 21st to 30th, was designed to address community concerns regarding the rapid expansion of data centers across the state.
A key focus of the local opposition is the proposed TeraWulf data center situated on Cayuga Lake. The grassroots organization "No Data Center FLX" has been actively campaigning against this project, having previously submitted a petition to the Lansing Town Board earlier in the summer. State Senator Lea Webb and Assemblymember Anna Kelles were also present at the Lansing event, addressing the attendees.