East Fishkill approves three-year moratorium on data centers after controversial proposal

The East Fishkill Town Board unanimously approved a three-year moratorium on large-scale data centers on Thursday, June 25, while also extending a moratorium on other industrial development. This decision comes amid strong local resistance to a proposed 1-gigawatt data center by Treetop Companies, which initially sought to build warehouses but later indicated plans for one of the state's largest data centers.

Town Supervisor Nicholas D'Alessandro stated the moratorium provides time to review zoning, infrastructure, and environmental impacts. The board also created a data center study task force comprising officials, residents, and experts to recommend future regulations. Environmental groups, such as Food & Water Watch, lauded the decision, highlighting public opposition to massive, noisy, and energy-intensive data centers.

Concerns revolve around the Treetop project's projected annual electricity consumption, equivalent to approximately 800,000 homes, according to submissions to the New York Independent System Operator. The project is planned in phases, requiring 500 megawatts by 2028 and an additional 500 megawatts by 2030. Residents and advocacy groups have expressed worries about energy demands, noise, and environmental degradation, despite no formal application being filed.

The East Fishkill action mirrors broader tensions across the state and nationwide. Amid these concerns, state lawmakers recently passed a one-year moratorium on the state Department of Environmental Conservation's ability to issue permits for data centers, and a bill requiring public hearings for all data center projects, both awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler supports local control over zoning decisions, while Governor Hochul's office indicated a review of the state bill.