Data Centers, IDA and “Warehouses”
Rockland County, New York, is experiencing significant opposition to data center developments and expansions, particularly involving DataBank and JP Morgan Chase, due to concerns over environmental impact, electricity and water usage, and noise pollution. Local supervisors in Orangetown and Clarkstown have proposed short-term moratoriums on new data centers and over-development, while a state-level moratorium bill passed the legislature but was not signed by Governor Hochul, who issued an Executive Order instead. Residents and advocacy groups are urging stricter regulations and oversight of data center projects and their access to taxpayer-funded IDA money.
An opinion piece in the Rockland County Times details the contentious debate surrounding data center developments in Rockland County, New York, highlighting significant local opposition and the environmental impact of these facilities. The article specifically names Bloomberg, JP Morgan Chase, DataBank, and CoreWeave as companies with operations or proposed expansions in the Orangetown area, within Rockland County.
Local concerns revolve around exorbitant electrical energy and water consumption, noise pollution from cooling systems and diesel generators, and potential environmental degradation from land clearing and diesel fuel spills. Residents have reported dramatic increases in electric and water bills in areas with new data centers. The article notes that DataBank's site on Lake Tappan raises particular environmental concerns due to its connection to a drinking water source for New Jersey communities. Furthermore, these companies frequently apply for and receive tax breaks and subsidies from the County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), leading to public criticism over the use of taxpayer money for projects that create few jobs.
In response to public outcry, Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenney and Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann have each proposed six-month moratoriums on new data centers and other large developments, though these proposals have limitations, excluding existing projects and having carve-outs. At the state level, the New York State Legislature passed the "Responsible Data Center Development Act," a three-year moratorium bill, but Governor Hochul did not sign it, instead issuing a one-year Executive Order for data centers over 50 megawatts, which critics argue is insufficient to address existing expansion projects. Advocacy groups like Food and Water Watch and the Bi-State Datacenter Crisis Coalition are actively fighting DataBank's Phase II expansion and pushing for stronger regulations.