AI’s place in data center controversy across New York
AI’s place in data center controversy across New York
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/news/2026/05/18/ai-drive-for-data-centers
Publish Date: 2026-05-18 17:55:00
Source Domain: spectrumlocalnews.com
- The Town of Oneonta has voted in favor of a 12-month moratorium on data center developments.
- Opponents argue that data centers have minimal long-term job creation, environmental consequences, and potential health risks.
- Pro-development experts, such as Rochester Institute of Technology’s Professor Ke Xu, emphasize the potential for permanent jobs and the inevitability of increased demand as AI develops.
- Rivera is against funding infrastructure improvements for data centers through taxpayer funds due to the affordability crisis.
- Oneonta is exploring local laws to permanently restrict data centers and hopes to set an example in the state.
- A proposed three-year statewide moratorium on data centers is under consideration in the state Assembly and Senate, raising concerns about New York’s competitive edge in the tech industry.
