Orangetown Board approves moratorium on new data center applications
The Orangetown Town Board has approved a six-month moratorium on new data center applications following public hearings and protests from residents concerned about environmental and public health impacts. While the temporary ban will allow officials to study future project impacts, it does not affect DataBank's ongoing expansion review in the area.
The Orangetown Town Board has voted to approve a six-month moratorium on new data center and battery energy storage system applications. This decision followed a public hearing that drew strong community interest and protests from residents. Activists voiced opposition to proposed data center development in the area, raising concerns about potential environmental and public health impacts, including emissions, water usage, and the proximity of future projects to Lake Tappan and surrounding wildlife habitats.
Town Supervisor Teresa Kenny clarified that the moratorium does not apply to DataBank's planned expansion, an existing facility in Orangetown, as it is already undergoing the town's review process and a full environmental impact study, which could take six months to a year to complete. DataBank officials previously stated their facility supports critical industries like healthcare and banking. The temporary moratorium is intended to provide town officials with additional time to study the impacts of future data center and battery storage projects before considering new applications.