Rep. Josh Riley introduces bill to help utility bills costs amidst data center moratorium

A statewide moratorium on new artificial intelligence data centers has been enacted in New York, pausing new developments for up to one year. This action follows growing concerns from residents and lawmakers, particularly in the Oneonta area, regarding the significant strain these energy-intensive facilities place on community utility grids and the resulting increase in consumer utility bills.

Local officials and residents in both the Town and City of Oneonta have voiced deep concerns, citing substantial hikes in their monthly utility charges. Geoff Doyle, a Town of Oneonta resident, reported his NYSEG bill more than doubled in less than a year, while City of Oneonta resident Mark Pauquette noted his bills have remained above $200 in summer months for the past two years, significantly higher than his historical average. Town of Oneonta Supervisor Will Rivera emphasized the devastating impact of these high rates on community affordability.

In response to the financial burden on New York ratepayers, Rep. Josh Riley has introduced the federal Fair Data Act. This proposed legislation aims to protect consumers by mandating that data center developers and operators directly fund the power generation, transmission, and distribution upgrades required to support their facilities. Under current utility structures, these multi-million-dollar infrastructure costs are often passed on to average consumers, exacerbating utility bill increases across upstate New York and other regions. The bill seeks to ensure that ordinary families are not forced to subsidize private tech infrastructure.