NY Senate candidates spar over AI data centers, immigration law
New York Senate candidates Dan Stec and Melissa Seale debated the state’s one-year moratorium on AI data centers during a campaign forum in Plattsburgh. Stec opposed the moratorium and said decisions should be made locally, while Seale emphasized protecting communities and the environment.
Candidates for New York’s 45th Senate District, incumbent Republican Dan Stec and Democrat Melissa Seale, debated AI data centers and other issues ahead of the November election. Asked about New York’s one-year moratorium on AI data centers, Stec said projects should proceed when adequate energy is available and argued that local governments should make the decisions. Seale said development must not harm communities, residents or the environment.
The candidates also discussed immigration enforcement and a proposal to remove three vacant former state prisons from the forest preserve for potential redevelopment. Both said they would support putting a constitutional amendment on the prison properties before voters, although they differed on how much land should be exchanged.