North Tonawanda extends data center moratorium
The North Tonawanda Common Council unanimously approved a one-year extension of its data center moratorium. This decision comes as DigiPower X, a cryptocurrency mining operation facing a class-action lawsuit from residents over noise, has proposed expanding its facility into an AI data center. Residents continue to collect petitions regarding noise ordinance enforcement.
The North Tonawanda Common Council has unanimously voted to extend its data center moratorium for an additional year. This move by the council is a response to ongoing issues and proposals surrounding a local cryptocurrency mining facility.
The facility, operated by DigiPower X (also referred to as Digihost), has been the subject of numerous complaints from North Tonawanda residents due to constant loud whirring noises since it began operations in 2021. Despite the existing moratorium, DigiPower X recently put forth a proposal to expand its current operations into an AI data center.
Local residents have actively voiced their opposition, with many collecting petitions to compel the enforcement of existing noise ordinances. Furthermore, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against DigiPower X by North Tonawanda residents, alleging that the persistent low humming noise emanating from the facility is detrimental to their health.