The town of Plattsburgh in New York state is evaluating a temporary land use moratorium aimed at restricting high-energy computing operations, including AI data centres and cryptocurrency mining. The proposed measure, which would pause approvals for facilities requiring 300 kilowatts or more of power for 12 months, is under review by the local common council, with a decision pending a meeting on Sept. 17.
Mayor Wendell Hughes outlined the proposal during a public hearing, citing concerns over energy demand and infrastructure strain. The measure echoes a similar moratorium imposed in 2018, which banned Bitcoin mining for 18 months. However, the current proposal does not explicitly target cryptocurrency, focusing instead on broader high-energy computing activities.
The council’s previous moratorium highlighted tensions between technological growth and municipal resource management. With the town’s energy grid already under pressure, officials are weighing the long-term impacts of large-scale data operations. The Sept. 17 meeting will determine whether the moratorium advances, though no formal approval has been granted as of Tuesday.
The outcome could influence how other municipalities balance innovation with infrastructure capacity. Local stakeholders have not yet commented publicly on the proposal, leaving the council’s decision as the next critical step.
Written by Roger Slater
Technology Desk
