Exclusive: News 12 gets inside look at Orangetown data center as expansion proposal faces scrutiny
DataBank's proposed data center expansion in Orangetown, New York, is facing significant opposition from local residents concerned about noise, pollution, and the growth of AI infrastructure. The project is currently undergoing a full environmental impact study, and no vote has been scheduled by the Orangetown Planning Board.
DataBank Inc. is seeking to expand its existing data center facility in Orangetown, New York, a proposal that has ignited ongoing protests from nearby residents. Neighbors are voicing concerns over potential noise, pollution, and the broader implications of increased artificial intelligence infrastructure in their community.
The project is currently subject to a comprehensive environmental impact study, which has not yet been submitted to the Orangetown Planning Board. Consequently, no date has been set for a vote on the expansion application. News 12 was granted exclusive access to the DataBank facility, which provides essential services for industries such as healthcare and banking.
JP Laqueur, vice president of marketing for DataBank, addressed some of the public's apprehension, stating that much of the opposition stems from a fear of AI, noting that the data center industry has been a long-standing component of digital life. Orangetown is home to several data centers, and town officials have not indicated when the Planning Board will next review DataBank's application, nor is there a set deadline for the environmental study's completion.