Orangetown Board Approves Moratorium on New Data Center Applications
The Orangetown Town Board has approved a six-month moratorium on new data center applications and battery energy storage systems, following strong community opposition due to environmental concerns. This temporary ban will allow officials to study the impacts of future projects, though it does not affect DataBank's existing expansion plans which are already undergoing environmental review.
The Orangetown Town Board has enacted a six-month moratorium on applications for new data centers and battery energy storage systems. This decision came after a public hearing that saw significant community interest and protests from residents.
Activists and concerned residents gathered outside Town Hall prior to the meeting, voicing their opposition to proposed data center developments, including a planned expansion by DataBank, which already operates a facility in Orangetown. Community members expressed concerns over potential environmental and public health impacts such as emissions, water usage, and the proximity of future projects to Lake Tappan and local wildlife habitats.
Orangetown Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny clarified that the moratorium does not apply to DataBank's proposed expansion, as that project is already undergoing the town's review process, including a full environmental impact study that could last six months to a year. DataBank officials have previously stated that their facility supports essential industries like healthcare and banking. The temporary moratorium aims to provide town officials with additional time to study the impacts of future data center and battery storage projects before processing new applications.