Lawler and Conley Clash on Debate Hosted by Pix 11
Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Cait Conley debated data center development in Rockland County during a congressional campaign forum. Both supported community approval of new facilities, but they differed over whether broader moratoriums were needed and how developers should address electricity costs, environmental effects and impacts on surrounding communities.
During a debate for New York’s 17th Congressional District, Rep. Mike Lawler and challenger Cait Conley presented competing positions on data center development in Rockland County. Lawler said local governments should control zoning decisions and argued that large artificial-intelligence facilities should pay for the power generation they require. He supported local moratoriums in Orangetown and East Fishkill while criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul’s statewide approach.
Conley also supported a moratorium, saying proposed facilities should be evaluated for their effects on utility bills, the environment and nearby communities. She stopped short of endorsing a permanent ban, saying future projects could proceed if they received community approval and proved a net positive. The candidates’ exchange did not resolve their broader disagreement over the scope or duration of restrictions on data center growth.