Orangetown Board Approves Temporary Data Center Moratorium
The Orangetown Town Board has approved a six-month moratorium on new data center and battery energy storage system applications. This decision follows strong community opposition citing environmental concerns like emissions and water usage. However, the moratorium does not apply to DataBank's existing expansion project, which is undergoing environmental review.
The Orangetown Town Board has enacted a six-month moratorium on new applications for data centers and battery energy storage systems. The decision came after a public hearing marked by significant community interest and protests from residents.
Activists and concerned residents gathered outside Town Hall to voice their opposition, citing potential environmental and public health impacts such as emissions, water usage, and proximity to Lake Tappan and wildlife habitats. They urged the board to approve the ban.
Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny clarified that the moratorium does not affect DataBank's proposed expansion, an existing facility in Orangetown, which is already in the town's review process and undergoing a full environmental impact study. This review is expected to take six months to a year.
The temporary moratorium aims to provide town officials with additional time to study the impacts of future data center and battery storage projects before processing new applications. DataBank officials previously highlighted the critical role their facility plays in supporting essential industries like healthcare and banking.