Fulton County looks to get ahead of data center spread
Fulton County and its towns are actively considering moratoriums and developing new regulations for hypersized data centers, citing concerns over massive electricity and water consumption and minimal job creation. The town of Perth plans a public hearing on a one-year moratorium, following similar actions by other New York communities grappling with data center development. A statewide moratorium bill has also been introduced in the New York legislature to study these impacts.
Fulton County, New York, is proactively addressing the proliferation of hypersized data centers, with county supervisors and local towns seeking to implement regulations due to concerns over electricity and water consumption and limited job creation. Perth Supervisor Gregory Fagan highlighted the lack of existing regulations across New York and the nation, emphasizing the significant resource demands of these facilities. The town of Perth plans a public hearing for a one-year moratorium on data center development while it updates its comprehensive plan, following a similar action by Athens in Greene County.
The concerns in Fulton County are echoed statewide, with lawmakers and planners noting a surge in large data center proposals, including projects by Turin Hoefler Avenue LLC in Ilion, North Country Colocation Services (NCCS) in Massena, Guild Ventures in Albany, and Stream Data Centers in Alabama, Genesee County. While some developers offer community benefits or environmentally friendly designs, residents have expressed opposition to projects like Stream Data Centers, and experts warn of potential strain on regional power grids and increased electricity prices for consumers. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a state Public Service Commission review to ensure new technologies, including data centers, cover their expansion costs to prevent price hikes for other ratepayers.
Fulton County Senior Planner Aaron Enfield stressed the need for local municipalities to be proactive in regulating data centers, which can consume vast amounts of water—a 100-megawatt center could use half of Fulton County's daily capacity. A bill proposing a statewide moratorium on data centers is currently in the state legislature, introduced by Sen. Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Anna Kelles, reflecting broader efforts to study and manage the industry's growth responsibly. The county's efforts, including the consideration of moratoriums and regulatory updates, aim to ensure that development aligns with community resources and provides maximum benefit.