Despite statewide pause, Town of Tonawanda passes data center moratorium
The Town of Tonawanda has enacted its own moratorium on new data center applications, particularly those with a peak demand of 20 megawatts or more. This local action reinforces a statewide moratorium imposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul to address environmental impacts and resource usage concerns related to hyperscale data centers. The town board plans to develop new zoning regulations during the moratorium period.
The Town of Tonawanda has unanimously approved a local moratorium on new data center applications, specifically those requiring 20 megawatts or more. This action comes despite a previously enacted statewide moratorium by New York Governor Kathy Hochul on hyperscale data centers.
Interim Town Supervisor John Flynn emphasized that the town's new law, which mirrors the governor's executive order, ensures no developer can bypass the pause. He clarified that there is only one existing data center application in Tonawanda, slated for the former Tonawanda Coke Plant site, and it will be subject to the moratorium. The local pause will last for a year, during which the town board intends to develop new zoning regulations.
Governor Hochul's executive order, signed in July, established the country's first statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers. This order halts state permitting for new large data centers and directs state regulators to create standards to address their environmental impacts, significant energy demands, and substantial water usage for cooling purposes.