City of Auburn passes data center resolution with Phillips’ support

AUBURN, NY – On July 9th, the Auburn City Council passed a resolution calling on Governor Hochul to sign the one-year moratorium on data centers, passed by the state legislature in June. The Responsible Data Center Development Act, S10642, would not only establish a one-year moratorium on large data centers, but it would also require public hearings for permits.

According to Syracuse.com, there are more than 30 large data centers seeking permission to build in New York, including one in Lysander. Phillips attended the meeting of the Lysander Town Council at which they passed a six-month moratorium on such projects. He also attended a meeting of the Baldwinsville Village Council where he urged the council to pass a resolution to send to the governor, urging her to sign the one-year moratorium.

As he promised at the meeting in Baldwinsville, Phillips urged Auburn to take action on this front.

Phillips said, “We are all impacted by these data centers, as they drive up utility costs and suck up our fresh water. I'll fight for my neighbors in Baldwinsville just like I would if they were building these monstrosities next to my house. I'm thrilled that my hometown has joined the growing call for a data center moratorium.”

Auburn City Councilors also discussed the possibility of passing local ordinances regulating data centers.

See the Auburn City Council meeting here. Phillips’ remarks begin at 14:58. The resolution passes at 42:13.