State releases new guidelines on data center development amid year-long moratorium
New York State has issued new guidelines for local governments to negotiate with data center developers, focusing on environmental protection and financial investment. This comes amidst an ongoing year-long moratorium on large data center construction within the state. The framework aims to help communities address concerns related to energy consumption, water usage, and community benefits.
New York State has unveiled a new framework to guide local governments in their negotiations with developers seeking to build large data centers. The guidelines were released during the state's existing year-long moratorium on new data center construction.
The framework emphasizes protecting communities from potentially exploitative development by addressing environmental concerns, particularly the significant energy and water demands of data centers. It recommends that communities secure at least $1 million per megawatt of power from data center projects, which could fund local services like roads, schools, and public safety. Additionally, the state advises local governments to establish 'good neighbor commitments' with developers, covering aspects such as water consumption, noise, lighting, building design, and local hiring.
The document also suggests that data centers report their water and energy usage, along with employment numbers, to local authorities. While the guidelines are state-issued, the final decisions on data center projects will rest with local governments once the moratorium concludes. For example, the Henrietta town supervisor plans to push for data center proposals to be handled under incentive zoning rather than special use permits, aiming to grant the town more regulatory control.