Binghamton Residents Call for Stronger Data Center Protections
Residents and advocacy groups in Binghamton, New York, are calling for stronger protections against the environmental and economic impacts of data centers. They are concerned about electricity consumption and rising utility costs, urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act. This follows an executive order by the governor that temporarily paused some new data center permits.
Southern Tier residents, alongside advocacy group Citizen Action of New York, rallied in Binghamton on Friday to advocate for stronger protections against data center development across New York State. Concerns were raised regarding the substantial electricity consumption of these facilities, with Omar Acosta-Nunez, lead community organizer for Citizen Action of New York, stating that over 30 hyperscale data centers are proposed statewide and could strain the electrical grid and increase utility costs for families.
Governor Kathy Hochul previously signed an executive order in July, implementing a temporary pause on some new data center permits. However, advocates view this as a preliminary measure and are pushing for the Governor to enact the Responsible Data Center Development Act. This bill, which has already cleared both chambers of the state Legislature, would mandate renewable energy use for new data centers, broaden the scope of regulated projects, and enhance public engagement in communities where data centers are planned. The rally in Binghamton was part of a larger, statewide initiative called the New York Fights Data Centers Tour.