Canton forming data center committee
The Canton Town Board in New York has formed a new data center committee to research and address data center development after enacting a moratorium on July 8. Councilors Greg Kiah and Randy Brown will lead the committee, which aims to develop new local laws regarding data centers. This move follows significant public opposition and aligns with broader discussions and moratoriums proposed or enacted in nearby towns and at the state level.
The Canton Town Board in New York has established a new committee to study data centers, led by Councilors Greg Kiah and Randy Brown. This initiative follows the town board's enactment of a data center development moratorium on July 8, which saw significant public turnout and opposition. Town Supervisor Jim Smith highlighted the need for the committee to research actions taken by other municipalities and develop potential new local laws, drawing parallels to past solar regulations.
The establishment of the committee and the moratorium reflect a broader regional and state-level discourse on data center development. Nearby Massena is also advocating for a data center moratorium, and Potsdam officials have considered similar measures. The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators has delegated data center decisions to individual towns and villages.
At the state level, the New York State Assembly and Senate passed a data center moratorium, though Governor Kathleen C. Hochul ultimately enacted a moratorium through executive order instead of signing the legislative bill. This underscores the widespread concern and active policy development surrounding data centers across New York.