Guilderland residents ask town board to place moratorium on data centers
Guilderland residents are urging their town board to enact a local moratorium on data centers, citing concerns over energy and water consumption. Despite a statewide moratorium signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, residents believe it is insufficient and can be easily revoked. The town board has initiated discussions on the matter and scheduled a public hearing for September 15th.
Guilderland residents are pressing their local town board to implement a moratorium on data center development within the town, despite New York Governor Kathy Hochul having signed a statewide executive order a week prior. Residents express concerns about the significant energy and water consumption associated with data centers, which power artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital storage.
During a recent town board meeting, residents voiced their apprehension, with one stating, "I think it's important that Guilderland does have its own moratorium to be on the safe side." Another resident criticized Governor Hochul's executive order, arguing its temporary nature makes it unreliable: "If you look at Governor Hochul's executive order, it doesn't really help. She can revoke that at any time. If somebody else is elected to office, they can revoke that at any time, which makes it null and void."
Guilderland Town Supervisor Peter Barber acknowledged the residents' concerns and opened a discussion with the board. He questioned whether the town was comfortable relying on the Governor's 50-megawatt limit or if they should consider local legislation similar to actions taken by the State Senate and Assembly. While no immediate decision was made, board members agreed the issue warranted further conversation. A public hearing is now scheduled for September 15th, allowing residents and officials to discuss extending and tightening potential model legislation to provide greater peace of mind for the community.