Petition opposing Lansing AI data center tops 17,000 signatures
Over 17,000 New Yorkers have signed a petition opposing TeraWulf's proposed AI data center at the former Cayuga Power Plant in Lansing, NY, citing concerns about water use, electricity demand, and rising utility costs. The project's site plan approval is pending before the town's planning board. Additionally, a statewide bill to halt data center permits for a year has been approved by lawmakers and is awaiting the governor's signature.
More than 17,000 New Yorkers have signed a petition opposing TeraWulf's proposed artificial intelligence data center at the former Cayuga Power Plant site in Lansing, New York. The petition, organized by groups such as FLX Strong and No Data Centers FLX, was delivered to the Lansing Town Board at its June 17 meeting by concerned residents. The opposition highlights environmental concerns and potential impacts on the quality of life, specifically citing the project's enormous demand on the electric grid, which could raise utility costs, and significant water usage.
The project faces continued scrutiny from the Lansing Planning Board, as TeraWulf's proposal for site plan approval has been deemed incomplete. Last October, TeraWulf's Chief Operating Officer Sean Farrell indicated the company would truck in de-ionized water to avoid using Cayuga Lake water, but in April, site lead Scott Kobylarz suggested misting equipment would be necessary on hot days, potentially requiring hundreds of thousands of gallons from Bolton Point, the local water commission, which raised concerns about capacity.
Amidst local opposition, Albany lawmakers, including the state assembly and senate delegation representing Lansing, have approved a bill for a one-year moratorium on data center permits statewide, which is now awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. Ken Wolkin of FLX Strong highlighted this as a significant victory at the state level, urging the Lansing Town Board to send a letter requesting the governor sign the bill into law.