A Plattsburgh man planned a data center in Chateaugay. Locals are pushing back
A proposed data center in Chateaugay, New York, planned by New York GreenCloud founder Joseph Church, is facing growing local skepticism over environmental impacts, power use and proximity to the Chateaugay River. The Chateaugay Town Board agreed to work on a one-year moratorium that would temporarily ban data centers in the town.
Residents raised concerns at a crowded Chateaugay Town Board meeting about a proposed data center on a 19-acre former wood chip factory site south of downtown. The project, associated with Joseph Church and his company New York GreenCloud, could use up to 15 megawatts of electricity but has reportedly stalled, despite being listed as under construction on the company’s website.
Residents cited uncertainty about the project, potential environmental effects and cooling needs, particularly because the site is about 1,000 feet from the Chateaugay River. Town Supervisor Don Bilow said he had initially viewed the proposal favorably but now has doubts. Following roughly 30 minutes of public comment, the board agreed to develop a one-year moratorium banning data centers in Chateaugay; a statewide moratorium does not cover the smaller project because it applies only to facilities above 50 megawatts.