Residents voice concerns over proposed AI data center at former Tonawanda Coke site

Residents in the Town of Tonawanda, New York, are actively opposing a proposal to construct a new data center at the former Tonawanda Coke site. Community members voiced strong concerns during a public discussion, citing fears that the large-scale facility would demand significant amounts of water and electricity, potentially depleting natural resources, harming wildlife, and increasing utility costs for households.

Speakers highlighted Tonawanda's industrial past, arguing that previous large corporations have negatively impacted residents' health and well-being. They called for comprehensive evaluations of the project's risks and long-term consequences before any decisions are finalized. One resident specifically urged local leaders to prioritize future generations over continued industrialization.

In response to the community's pushback, the Town of Tonawanda Planning Board unanimously voted to table the data center proposal, effectively delaying any immediate action. This local development coincides with broader discussions at the state level, where lawmakers in the New York State Senate and Assembly may soon consider legislation to implement a temporary statewide moratorium on new data center construction. Supporters of this measure advocate for a pause to allow for a thorough study of the potential environmental, economic, and infrastructural impacts of data center development across New York.