Central New York broker markets LeRay land for sustainable data center

A Central New York real estate broker, Allen Olmsted of Canaan Realty, is actively marketing thousands of acres of land in the Town of LeRay, New York, for the development of a large-scale, sustainable data center campus. Olmsted emphasizes the goal of minimizing environmental impact through reduced water usage and the potential for a private, on-site solar energy source. He also highlighted the region's existing energy infrastructure, double fiber optic access, and proximity to Fort Drum, potentially leveraging the base's future nuclear energy initiatives for power. In response to the growing interest in data center development, the Town of LeRay is considering a six-month moratorium to better understand such projects and gather resident input, according to Town Supervisor Lee Carpenter. Concurrently, New York Assemblyman Scott Gray confirmed that the state legislature in Albany is exploring a three-year statewide moratorium on data centers, aiming to ensure responsible development without taking a definitive stance for or against them. Separately, the St. Lawrence County Planning Board recently reviewed site plans for a proposed data center in Massena. This project, put forth by Bitcoin company NYDIG, involves three new structures totaling 400,000 square feet, projected to consume 635 megawatts of power. Following discussions on power and water usage, the planning board recommended approval for the NYDIG project, contingent on meeting specific conditions.