Ian Phillips Speaks in Support of Proposed Data Center Resolution

AUBURN, NY – On September 22nd, the Cayuga County Legislature unanimously passed a Legislative Resolution Urging Governor Hochul to Sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act, S10642.

Ian Phillips, Democratic candidate for State Assembly in District 126, has been a leading voice opposing data center development, urging the passage of moratoriums and resolutions supporting the data center moratorium bill in Lysander, Baldwinsville, Auburn, and now Cayuga County.  

In a statement, Phillips said: "Governor Hochul's executive action stops the immediate threat of data centers in our neighborhoods, but we need to go further. This executive action only prevents construction of data centers of 50 megawatts and above. A 50-megawatt data center uses more energy than all Cayuga County residents combined. We'll need leadership in the Assembly that isn’t on the payroll of data center developers and utility companies. We need to ensure our communities, wallets, and environment are protected from the threats posed by this dangerous and untested technology.”

Phillips’ opponent, Republican Assemblyman John Lemondes, was not present at the meeting. His campaign has received campaign contributions from the Ranalli family, whose company is proposing to develop a planned AI data center in Lysander. Lemondes has also received regular campaign donations from energy companies, including New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) and its parent company, Avangrid.

See Phillips’ remarks here. 

About Ian Phillips

Ian Phillips is a teacher, union organizer, and former Auburn school board president running for Assembly in AD126. Phillips is running on a common sense platform: clean lakes, corporate money out of politics, and a lower cost of living. The race is a rematch of 2024, with Phillips fundraising strongly and in a position to win. Phillips is endorsed by major unions, including the AFL-CIO, NYSUT, 1199 SEIU, IBEW Local 43, CSEA, CWA Region 1, UAW Region 9, and more. He has also received endorsements from Planned Parenthood, Cayuga County Democrats, and the Working Families Party.

Website: www.ianforcny.com