SLC Legislators urging towns and villages to adopt new code, possible moratoriums against data centers as public voices opposition to Massena project
St. Lawrence County legislators passed a resolution urging towns and villages to adopt new zoning codes and consider moratoriums on data center development, following significant public opposition to a project in Massena. The resolution aims to provide local control over data center siting, which the county itself cannot legally impose county-wide. Concerns include electricity demand, environmental impact, and tax abatements.
St. Lawrence County legislators recently passed a resolution advocating for towns and villages to adopt new zoning codes and potentially enact moratoriums on data center development. This action followed more than an hour of public testimony expressing opposition to proposed data centers, particularly an expansion project by North Country Collocation Services (NCCS) at the former Alcoa East plant in Massena.
Legislators, including Rita Curran, clarified that while the county cannot legally impose a county-wide moratorium, they can empower local municipalities to do so. Curran emphasized the need for new local laws and codes, as existing regulations offer little recourse against such developments. She noted a significant increase in proposed data center projects in the region, citing concerns about electrical grid strain.
The resolution also included an amendment proposed by Legislator Margaret Haggard to inform the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Akwesasne population of the county's intentions. Planning Director Jason Pfotenhauer addressed the board, highlighting Massena's attractiveness for data centers due to its proximity to power lines. He mentioned that while NCCS's project was previously approved by the county Planning Board with stipulations, Massena's current regulations, adopted after a previous moratorium on containerized data centers was lifted, are likely insufficient to manage the proposed multi-million dollar expansion.
Concerns were also raised regarding Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs, with Legislator Jim Reagen noting that towns, villages, school districts, and the county must all agree to PILOTs for data centers. Legislators Larry Denesha and Glenn Webster voiced frustration with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), arguing it has failed to protect local interests from environmental impacts. Electricity usage and rising costs were also significant concerns, as National Grid officials had previously informed legislators about increasing demand and stagnant supply leading to higher rates. Legislators Joseph Lightfoot and Nicole Terminelli called for further research and moratoriums to allow time for deeper investigation into potential impacts.