Orangetown data center expansion sparks protest over environment and AI
Protesters gathered outside Orangetown Town Hall, chanting “we can’t drink data” and calling for a moratorium on future growth.
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A proposed expansion of a major data center in Rockland County is facing renewed pushback from residents concerned about environmental impacts, rising utility costs and the future of jobs in the age of artificial intelligence.
Protesters gathered outside Orangetown Town Hall on Wednesday to oppose the Phase 2 expansion of the nearby DataBank data center, chanting “We can’t drink data” and calling for a moratorium on future growth.
Residents voiced concerns ranging from increased electricity demand and possible impacts on water resources to fears that AI-powered technology supported by large-scale data centers could reduce employment opportunities.
The protest came as an Orangetown Planning Board meeting scheduled to review the proposal was canceled at DataBank’s request. The meeting follows a heavily attended March 25 planning board session where many residents spoke out against the project.
DataBank has already reduced the scope of its Phase 2 proposal, lowering the amount of wattage and removing a proposed substation.
Still, critics say concerns remain about environmental impacts and whether increased power demand could eventually raise electric bills.
News 12 reached out to DataBank for comment but did not hear back.
The canceled planning board meeting has been rescheduled for July 8.
