The Seneca County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation raising environmental and energy concerns about a proposed artificial intelligence data center in Lansing and received updates on economic development and housing initiatives during their meeting this week in Waterloo.
The session also included approval of several resolutions related to county operations, including establishing a fee for electric vehicle charging stations, authorizing grant contracts, and purchasing equipment for the highway department.
Resident raises concerns about proposed Cayuga Lake data center
During the presentations portion of the meeting, Seneca County resident Andrea Jodeit addressed the board about a proposed TeraWulf AI data center planned for the site of the former coal-fired power plant in Lansing.
Jodeit said the project could have regional impacts because of its energy demands and potential water withdrawals from Cayuga Lake.
“The proposed data center is planned at 400 megawatts at peak power capacity,” she said, explaining that the facility would use large amounts of electricity and could withdraw more than 1 million gallons of water per day for cooling.
She urged the board to consider steps such as asking the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to reject a modified water withdrawal permit and requesting studies on how the project could affect electricity costs and environmental conditions in surrounding counties.
Some supervisors questioned whether all of the information presented had been verified before any potential county action.
Supervisor Paul Cronenwetter asked who Jodeit represented. She said she was speaking as a private citizen concerned about the region’s water resources.
Economic development corporation outlines first-year progress
The board also received an update from the Seneca County Local Development Corporation (LDC), which reviewed its first year of activity and outlined future economic development planning.
Officials said the organization was created to coordinate economic development strategy across municipalities and partners throughout the county.
“Our mission is straightforward — to proactively advance economic and community development in Seneca County through strategic initiatives in collaboration with community partners,” said board member John Bell.
As part of its work, the LDC conducted a listening tour with town supervisors across the county to identify priorities and challenges. Housing availability, infrastructure capacity and the need for better coordination of economic development resources were among the most common issues raised.
The LDC has also begun developing a new five-year economic development strategy with consulting firm RKG Associates, which will analyze workforce trends, identify priority industries and recommend development opportunities for the county.
Land bank reports housing initiatives
Joseph McGrath, president of the Finger Lakes Regional Land Bank Corporation, presented the organization’s annual report and discussed ongoing housing efforts.
He highlighted several projects aimed at addressing housing affordability, including a partnership with Seneca Housing to develop seven rental units in Ovid and Willard that were expected to begin construction soon.
The land bank is also working with the county’s mental health department and FLACRA on supportive housing projects in Waterloo.
McGrath said the projects are designed to help address the county’s housing shortage while stabilizing neighborhoods.
“This is community development,” he told supervisors, describing the goal of creating stable housing opportunities for residents while encouraging neighborhood improvements.
Board approves fees, contracts and equipment purchases
Supervisors approved several resolutions during the meeting, including:
- Establishing a $0.35 per kilowatt-hour fee for electric vehicle charging stations at the county office building.
- Authorizing amendments to the county’s 2025 budget, including adjustments involving health insurance, retirement and water district accounts.
- Approving a $28,000 contract for nursing services in the county’s mental health department.
- Authorizing the purchase of two 2027 International ten-wheel dump trucks for the highway department at a cost of $362,143.94.
- Approving the purchase of a Bobcat compact track loader for $83,106.41 and two pickup trucks totaling $94,517.68 for highway operations.
- Accepting the lowest bid of $337,000 from CP Ward Inc. for bridge deck replacements on County Roads 120 and 131 using CHIPS funds.
Supervisors also approved several health-related grant agreements and programs, including funding for water monitoring, tobacco enforcement and anti-vaping programming in local schools and communities.
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