Massena board rejects six-month data center moratorium

Massena’s town board voted down a six-month moratorium on data centers, rejecting the measure by a 3-2 vote after a public hearing that drew more than 20 speakers.

The vote came as New York pauses state permitting on new data center construction for up to one year. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order in July, making New York the first state in the nation to impose a moratorium on data centers, according to the source article. The order is intended to give lawmakers time to consider protections for residents and the environment.

In Massena, supporters of data centers argued that a local moratorium would hurt the town’s chances of attracting development.

"We’re depressed. We’ve been depressed for many years now. We could turn that around and that is with a data center being a kickstart for us", said Hassan Fayad, former DPW superintendent for Massena.

"The only thing a moratorium does is start scaring the developers away from the area. I think putting in a moratorium in place is absolutely the wrong thing to do", said Bill Fiacco, owner of Gristmill Brewery.

Others who oppose data centers raised concerns about the amount of energy the facilities would use and what that could mean for natural resources such as water.

The hearing and vote highlighted a divide in Massena over whether data centers represent an economic opportunity or an added strain on local resources.

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