Plattsburgh Weighs Broader Ban on Energy-Hungry Computing Operations
Plattsburgh, New York, is once again considering restrictions on energy-intensive computing operations. The town's mayor and common council are weighing a proposed 12-month moratorium on high-energy facilities, including cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence data centers.
The draft rule would halt land use approvals for any facility requiring 300 kilowatts or more of power. This move comes after residents expressed concerns about rising electricity costs and the strain on local infrastructure.
Plattsburgh previously banned Bitcoin mining in 2018 with an 18-month moratorium, driven by resident complaints over electricity costs. The town's mayor has not yet signed off on the new proposal, which will be discussed further at a September 17 council meeting.