Ilion Residents Protest Rumored AI Data Center Planned for Remington Arms Site
Residents in Ilion, NY, protested a rumored 250,000-square-foot AI data center planned for the former Remington Arms facility, raising concerns about increased electricity and water use, and noise pollution. The property owner, Turin Management, is considering options but has not announced specific plans. This comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed an executive order enacting a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers in the state.
Dozens of residents gathered in Ilion, New York, to protest a rumored 250,000-square-foot artificial intelligence data center proposed for the former Remington Arms facility. Protesters voiced concerns over the potential for increased electricity and water consumption, which they believe could lead to higher costs for local residents, as well as noise pollution impacting the surrounding community.
The property, now owned by Turin Management, is currently under consideration for various uses, though no specific plans have been announced regarding a data center. The opposition highlights a broader sentiment among some residents against industrial development in historically significant areas without thorough prior research.
This local protest comes shortly after New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order establishing the nation's first moratorium on new hyperscale data centers. This order temporarily pauses State environmental permits for up to one year, reflecting growing environmental and resource concerns related to data center expansion across the state.