Hochul should sign NY moratorium on data center growth
A one-year moratorium to stop the excessive growth of data centers without further investigation into water usage, energy rate increases and pollution has passed the New York Senate and Assembly. The bill was intended to give time for regulation to catch up to the rapid development of these centers.
Many communities have not known about data center development until construction began. Concerns grew across the US when communities began to notice water shortages and increased electricity rate costs due to grid upgrades and electric usage. Some centers announced substantial job opportunities only to have these jobs disappear once the center was operational. The promised economic development for adjacent towns from data center creation was often not true. Pollution concerns add to community health concerns especially if the center is fueled by fossil fuel
Until we can develop technology with safeguards to ease the concerns of consumers and add in protections for the environment, we must advocate for holding off on data center development. Email or call NY Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the moratorium to stop data center development for one year.
Rosanne Van Wie
Waverly
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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: NY lawmakers make right decision pausing data center growth | Letter
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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