State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez is renewing her call for broader data center restrictions following the election, with a Rochester discussion scheduled Tuesday evening.
Gonzalez and the office of Sen. Samra Brouk will participate in the Nov. 10 event at First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 S. Winton Road. The discussion begins at 6 p.m.
The event comes as Gonzalez urges Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which passed both legislative chambers in June.
FingerLakes1 reported in August that the legislation generally would cover facilities using 20 megawatts or more, a broader category than the 50-megawatt threshold associated with the governor’s existing moratorium.
The Assembly bill’s official record continues to list it as passed by the Senate and Assembly, rather than signed into law.
Hochul issued an executive order in July pausing certain new hyperscale data center permitting while the state develops environmental standards.
Gonzalez’s legislation would go further, establishing requirements involving environmental review, utility rate classifications and labor protections.
In a Monday interview with Spectrum News, Gonzalez argued that election results strengthened the case for additional safeguards.
Supporters contend that large facilities could place significant demands on electricity infrastructure and water supplies. Critics of tighter restrictions warn that New York could lose investment to other states.
The discussion has particular relevance to communities near Greenidge Generation on Seneca Lake and TeraWulf’s proposed development in Lansing.
As FingerLakes1 previously reported, Gonzalez’s statewide campaign included Finger Lakes events focused on those sites.
The Rochester organizers also identify the proposed STAMP development in Genesee County and the Vulcan/Greenidge proposal as regional concerns.
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