Putnam Valley Looks to Act Fast on Data Center Ban

By Holly Crocco

With a town moratorium on battery storage systems and large-scale wind energy conversion systems having expired in October, the Putnam Valley Town Board is looking to act quickly to pass another moratorium that will protect the town from not only these types of developments, but also data centers.

The state recently passed a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data centers using 50 megawatts or more of power to assess environmental, energy, and community impacts. Meanwhile, local communities – such as nearby East Fishkill and Yorktown – are passing their own bans on data centers, battery storage facilities, and solar farms.

However, it’s been learned that even local laws banning such development can’t always prevent it.

According to Putnam Valley Councilman Christian Russo, a private company recently brought forth plans for a battery storage center in Yorktown, where zoning rules were in place to prevent it.

“Although the zoning board ruled they couldn’t do this, the Supreme Court overturned that decision and said because it fell under ‘utility infrastructure’ it was allowed to happen,” he said at the Aug. 12 board meeting. “The Town of Yorktown is appealing that decision at this time. But looking at that, I think it’s imperative we do something now.”

Councilman Louie Luongo agreed.

“The data centers, that’s a big concern I have,” he said. “The amount of electricity they’re using. We’re having enough trouble as it is with the amount of electricity that’s being produced – we’re using it all up. The more things we add to it, the more strenuous it is on the grid. We don’t have enough to supply what we need right now.”

In addition, Luongo noted that such developments use an incredible amount of water, so if one was proposed in Putnam Valley, that would mean multiple wells would have to be dug. “Our infrastructure and aquafer is so fragile as it is,” he said.

Further, the councilman noted that on a recent trip through the western part of state, he was saddened to see acres and acres of land that had been covered with solar panels.

“To see how much farmland has been destroyed by solar panels is just absolutely amazing,” he said. “The towns have lost the home rule… It was just a shame to see land with rows and rows and rows of solar panels.”

Supervisor Alison Jolicoeur was in agreement. “I’ve said publicly before that parking lots and rooftops are the only appropriate place (for solar panels)… especially in a time when we need access to healthy food,” she said.

Councilwoman Sherry Howard also supported a new moratorium on battery storage facilities, solar panels, and data centers. “We can’t even always support our own businesses with the amount of water we have,” she said. “How are we going to have data centers?”

Councilman CJ Brooks added: “The amount of duress and stress that the expansion of data centers is having on our country, let alone the area… ‘significant’ isn’t even a strong enough word,” he said, especially concerning the amount of resources needed.

During public comment, one resident reiterated how Yorktown had a ban in place, and yet a battery storage system is still being pushed. The developer is now suing the town.

“We need to be prepared ahead of that,” she said. “Shore up zoning laws, our master plan... because it’s coming.”

Another resident said he’s less concerned, noting, “I do think that not a single big operation would try it here because there’s no water… along the same lines that we’re never going to get a Fortune 500 company here because there just isn’t the infrastructure.”