Hamburg Town Board approves data center moratorium
The Hamburg Town Board unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on permits and applications for building, expanding or operating data centers. The pause will give officials time to study potential effects on residents, infrastructure, natural resources and neighboring properties, while similar measures have been adopted elsewhere in the region and statewide.
The Hamburg Town Board unanimously approved a one-year moratorium that bars the town from issuing or considering permits, applications and other materials related to constructing, expanding or operating data centers. The resolution says the pause will allow officials to review existing zoning rules and assess the effects of large-scale facilities on residents, infrastructure, natural resources and neighboring properties.
The action follows similar moratoriums in Buffalo, West Seneca and the Town of Tonawanda. Gov. Kathy Hochul also signed a statewide executive order in July pausing data center permitting for up to a year while New York examines environmental impacts and develops additional regulatory standards.