Town of Tonawanda approves one-year moratorium on data centers
The Town of Tonawanda Town Board has unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on artificial-intelligence data center projects, mirroring Governor Kathy Hochul's executive order. This action prevents new applications for a year and aims to block any proposed data center developments, including a previous $2 billion project planned for the former Tonawanda Coke Plant.
The Town of Tonawanda Town Board unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new artificial intelligence (AI) data center projects during its Monday meeting. This measure, which prevents the submission of new applications for a year, mirrors an executive order issued by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Town Supervisor John Flynn emphasized that the combined state and local moratoriums ensure no developers can bypass the restrictions, stating, "I'm telling you now, there is no back door." The decision follows a proposal in July for a $2 billion AI data center planned for the former Tonawanda Coke Plant site along River Road.