Canton puts two in charge of steering data center development on heels of passing moratorium
Canton has appointed two town councilors to a new committee to research data centers and address their potential development, following the town's enactment of a data center moratorium on July 8. The committee will examine how other municipalities in New York are responding to data center issues and may lead to new local regulations.
Canton Town Councilors Randy Brown and Greg Kiah have been appointed to a new committee responsible for researching data centers and determining how the town will address their potential development. This appointment follows the town's decision on July 8 to enact a moratorium on data center development within Canton.
The committee was formed during the Canton Town Board's August meeting, after public hearings on data centers generated significant community concern. Town Supervisor Jim Smith emphasized the need to gather information and study how other New York municipalities are handling similar issues, with the goal of potentially developing local regulations akin to the town's existing solar law. Data center discussions are prevalent across St. Lawrence County, with some developers considering Massena due to access to lower-cost power. While some public officials highlight potential benefits, general public opposition is strong.
Separately, the Town of Potsdam is considering a similar moratorium, though it has not yet been approved. Calls for a moratorium in Massena have also been made. St. Lawrence County legislators noted that such actions ultimately rest with local municipalities. New York State previously passed a blanket data center moratorium through its Assembly and Senate, which Governor Kathy Hochul did not sign. However, Governor Hochul has implemented a distinct moratorium on data centers via an executive order.