Town of Tonawanda passes law mimicking statewide data center pause
The Town of Tonawanda has enacted a year-long moratorium on large data center construction (20MW+) to allow time to strengthen local zoning rules. This local law mirrors a statewide pause by Governor Hochul and addresses resident concerns about a previously proposed data center project.
The Town of Tonawanda has officially enacted a local law imposing a one-year moratorium on the construction of large data centers that require 20 megawatts or more of electrical demand. The Town Board, led by Supervisor John Flynn, voted to approve this measure after months of public debate and resident concerns. The purpose of this pause is to allow town leaders sufficient time to review and strengthen local zoning rules pertaining to data center development, as the current code is considered inadequate.
This local moratorium mirrors a statewide one-year pause on large data centers signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in July, which already impacts a previously proposed $2 billion data center project at the former Coke site in Tonawanda. Despite the statewide action, the Town of Tonawanda proceeded with its own vote, extending its proposed six-month pause to a full year.
Residents voiced strong support for the moratorium at Monday's meeting, with some advocating for an extension beyond one year. They emphasized the necessity for the town to conduct thorough due diligence and protect residents through robust zoning. Supervisor Flynn confirmed that the previously proposed data center, which had not submitted a complete application, would fall under both the state executive order and the new local moratorium, preventing its development.