NY hit pause on large data centers. A massive project in Massena may be exempt
New York’s temporary restriction on permits for hyperscale data centers may not apply to a proposed 1.5 million-square-foot, 635-megawatt facility in Massena because its developer says it applied for permits in 2020. The Massena Town Board rejected a local moratorium by a 3-2 vote, while residents and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe continue to raise concerns about electricity use, water, pollution and community impacts.
New York Digital Investment Group and affiliate North Country Collocation Services are proposing a 1.5 million-square-foot data center at the former Alcoa East/Reynolds industrial site near Akwesasne in Massena. The 635-megawatt facility would be among the largest in the state and is expected by its developer to create 200 permanent jobs and about 2,000 construction jobs.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive order temporarily restricts state permits for new hyperscale data centers exceeding 50 megawatts, but Massena officials said the project could be exempt because NCCS applied for permits in 2020. State officials have not confirmed whether the project remains subject to the restriction, and the facility still faces state environmental review and other approvals. The Massena Town Board voted 3-2 against a local moratorium, while residents and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe oppose the project over potential electricity, water, noise, air pollution and health impacts. NCCS says it plans to use a sealed-loop cooling system that would not draw local water.