Ithaca · Local digest

The Lansing Town Board decided to draft a ban on new data center construction following a special meeting with over 200 concerned residents opposing development. The decision comes as Gov. Hochul's Executive Order 62 enacted a one-year state moratorium on data center permitting for facilities exceeding 50 megawatts. The board discussed uncertainty around how the state moratorium applies locally and heard public comment almost universally against data center development, with only a TeraWulf company representative speaking in favor. Town Supervisor Ruth Groff called the proposed Lake Hawkeye Data Center project a "fiscal nightmare," citing potential costly litigation if the company breaches agreements. If passed, Lansing would join Dryden and Danby as New York towns banning data centers.