Dryden just became the first town in New York to ban data centers and cryptocurrency mines, according to The Ithaca Voice. Town officials approved a zoning update Feb. 19 that defines the facilities and makes clear they aren’t allowed.
Leaders say they acted over concerns about massive energy use, water consumption and noise. The move follows an 18-month moratorium and heated debate sparked by a proposed 400-megawatt data center in neighboring Lansing by TeraWulf.
Some planning board members had suggested allowing small facilities, but the town board rejected that idea. Officials and climate advocates argue large data centers clash with local goals and New York’s climate law.
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