Potsdam town board approves one-year moratorium on data centers, crypto mines

The Potsdam Town Council approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers and cryptocurrency mines after a public hearing, suspending applications, permitting and construction for covered computing facilities in the town's unincorporated areas.

The moratorium is intended to give town officials time to study the potential effects of large computing facilities, including impacts on the power grid, electricity costs, emergency services, noise, heat, cooling and backup generation. Councilor Pat Brady raised the proposal at a July 14 meeting, saying the town's current zoning code does not address facilities of that scale.

The restrictions do not apply to the villages of Potsdam and Norwood. The proposal described a 12-month term that could end earlier if repealed or if the town adopts permanent regulations. It also said the law would take effect upon filing with the New York secretary of state.

The town's website lists a Nov. 5, 2026, public hearing agenda for Local Law 2026-5, titled "Large-Scale Data Computing Facility." A policy newsletter identified the adopted measure as Local Law 2026-6 and described thresholds of 20 megawatts or 50,000 square feet for data centers and 5 megawatts for cryptocurrency mining. Those figures and the local-law number should be confirmed against the adopted law.

The town planning board is expected to work with St. Lawrence County planners on permanent regulations. The county Legislature passed a law in June asserting local control over data-center siting and offers planning assistance to towns. A separate proposal for a six-month moratorium on large commercial battery storage, tied to fire-safety concerns, is not part of the data-center law.

People seeking updates can check the Town of Potsdam website for town board and planning board agendas. The adopted local law and Nov. 5 meeting minutes can be requested from the Town Clerk at Potsdam Town Hall.