Schroeppel seeks public input on 12-month data center moratorium amid statewide pause
The Town of Schroeppel, New York, is considering a 12-month moratorium on data center projects to study potential local impacts, following Governor Kathy Hochul's statewide pause on hyperscale data center construction. The town board is seeking public input on the proposal amidst growing concerns over data center demands on infrastructure, environment, power, and water resources. A public meeting is scheduled for July 14th.
The Town of Schroeppel, New York, is deliberating a 12-month moratorium on data center development, inviting public comments at a meeting on Tuesday, July 14, at the Schroeppel Town Hall in Phoenix. This local consideration aligns with a broader state-level action, as Governor Kathy Hochul recently enacted a one-year pause on new hyperscale data center construction across New York.
The proposed local moratorium aims to provide the town board with sufficient time to assess the potential impacts of data centers on local infrastructure and the environment, and to develop appropriate regulations. This initiative mirrors concerns expressed by other central New York municipalities, like the Town of Manlius, which previously approved a similar one-year moratorium.
The statewide pause, a result of legislation passed by the State Senate and Assembly, positions New York as the first U.S. state to adopt such a measure. The decision stems from growing concerns over data centers' substantial power consumption, which Goldman Sachs projects could reach 66 gigawatts by 2027, and their significant water usage, potentially billions of gallons annually, contributing to local pollution and increased utility costs for residents.