Town of Lansing Board expresses interest in moving forward with drafting a data center ban
The Lansing Town Board is considering drafting a ban on data centers after strong community opposition to TeraWulf's proposed Cayuga Data campus. The board directed its attorney to begin preparing a resolution and set aside potential funds for anticipated legal costs.
The Lansing Town Board is moving toward drafting a resolution that would ban data centers in the Tompkins County town, following a special meeting where 36 of 38 speakers opposed the proposed Cayuga Data campus. The project, proposed by TeraWulf at a former coal-fired power plant, has faced sustained opposition from local residents and community groups.
The board's proposed ban could lead to litigation, according to Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler, who said the town expects legal costs and may allocate $500,000 in next year's budget. The action follows a May 2026 court ruling affirming the right to challenge the Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals' classification of the proposed data center as a permissible land use. Board members expressed more interest in a permanent ban than a moratorium, citing concerns that a moratorium could create a lengthy and costly process.