‘There’s just a lot missing’: Lansing planning board takes first look at 401-page data center plan

TeraWulf's proposed data center in Lansing, New York, is encountering significant community opposition and scrutiny as it progresses through the town's planning process. During an April 28 meeting, TeraWulf representatives presented a 401-page site plan application to the Lansing planning board, detailing aspects like construction timelines, acoustic considerations, and water consumption. However, the board, supported by town planning staff and third-party consultants T.G. Miller and MRB Group, found the application incomplete and requested more materials for a thorough review. The project, slated for the former Milliken Station Power Plant site, proposes a 150-megawatt initial phase, with plans to double capacity in a second phase. Residents and anti-data center activists, who heavily attended the meeting, voiced concerns about the data center's reliance on New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) for power, the necessity of a new substation, and the use of backup diesel generators. Environmental impacts were a major focus, including potential wetland disturbances and the substantial water demands for cooling, which could reach up to 700,000 gallons per day from the Bolton Point water system on peak operating days. Town officials identified discrepancies in site maps regarding a co-located solar project and inconsistencies in landscaping plans for noise mitigation. Questions also arose regarding a decommissioning plan for the facility and potential financial agreements with the town, such as host-benefit or Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements, which TeraWulf representatives were unable to clarify. Despite TeraWulf's claims of low-emission operations, critics highlighted the complexities of the electricity grid, making it difficult to verify the actual percentage of renewable energy used, and also pointed to carbon emissions from on-site concrete production for construction. The planning board confirmed it would review the project by topic and schedule a public hearing once a complete application is submitted.