Gary Dickson, Patrick Burke discuss New York data center moratorium
Assembly candidate Gary Dickson and incumbent Patrick Burke discussed New York’s proposed data center moratorium during a debate in West Seneca. Dickson supported a longer and broader pause, while Burke said data centers should be regulated for impacts including water use, electricity demand and noise.
During a debate at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, West Seneca Supervisor Gary Dickson called on the governor to sign legislation passed by the New York Assembly and Senate that would impose a three-year moratorium on data centers consuming at least 20 megawatts. He also supported expanding the pause and said local governments should adopt stricter moratoriums while the state develops policy. Dickson cited West Seneca and other towns as having taken local action.
Assemblyman Patrick Burke said the purpose of a moratorium is to give lawmakers time to establish effective regulations, arguing that data centers are not inherently harmful but must be controlled. He identified water use, power demand and noise as key issues, while also noting the potential property-tax benefits of data centers by comparing them with Virginia’s Loudoun County and local tax revenues in Erie County.