Data center regs advance as opposition to Albany site grows
Residents in Albany are protesting proposed data center developments at the Kenwood Convent site, citing concerns about utility costs and lack of local benefits. City officials are reviewing zoning categories and considering new regulations, including a potential moratorium. Additionally, a state senator is co-sponsoring a bill for a one-year statewide moratorium on large data center permits, which is scheduled for a vote this week.
Albany residents and advocates are protesting proposed data center developments, particularly at the Kenwood Convent site in the city's South End. Ian Cummins, an Albany resident, expressed concerns that the data center would increase utility costs and draw resources without providing direct local benefits or jobs. The opposition gained traction after the Times Union reported on the possibility of a data center in the area.
In response to growing resistance, Albany city officials are looking to create new regulations. Councilmember Deborah Zamer, who chairs the Planning, Economic Development and Land Use Committee, stated that the city's zoning code currently lacks specific categories for data centers and emphasized the need for a comprehensive review to protect neighborhoods from unwanted industrial centers. Councilmember Meghan Keegan also proposed protections for non-residential areas like the Warehouse District. Guild Ventures, the developers behind the Kenwood proposal, did not comment on the situation.
At the state level, Senator Pat Fahy, representing Albany, is advocating for a one-year moratorium on data center permits for facilities consuming over 20 megawatts, noting that the Kenwood site is projected to require 180 megawatts. Fahy, a co-sponsor of the Senate bill set for a vote this week, highlighted concerns about high energy consumption, grid strain, and the potential burden on ratepayers. The New York Independent System Operator reported a significant increase in large data load project requests, from 6 in 2022 to 51 in 2026, intensifying the call for a pause to assess the impacts.