Molitor signs GOP letter on data center power agreements
New York Assembly Republicans, including Andrew Molitor, signed a letter urging the New York Power Authority to disclose discounted electricity rates and subsidies provided to data centers. The issue centers on at least $321 million in tax exemptions and power subsidies for five Rockland County data center sites, as well as concerns about ratepayer costs and grid reliability.
Assemblyman Ed Ra, joined by Assemblyman Andrew Molitor and other Republicans, asked New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll to provide greater transparency about discounted electricity supplied to data centers through NYPA's ReCharge program. The lawmakers said the authority has not disclosed the rates or total value of the subsidies, limiting public and legislative evaluation of the program.
Data analyzed by Reinvent Albany found that NYPA and the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency committed at least $321 million in tax exemptions and power subsidies to five Rockland County data center sites since 2013. Democrats have proposed ending ReCharge allocations for data centers and requiring additional environmental review, while Republican lawmakers are backing case-by-case utility agreements approved by the Public Service Commission and structured so high-use customers, rather than ordinary ratepayers, bear the costs.