Plattsburgh Considers Temporary Ban on Crypto Mining and AI Data Centers
Town hearing on new land‑use ban
Plattsburgh, New York held a public hearing to discuss a temporary moratorium that would stop approvals for large‑scale computing facilities, such as cryptocurrency mining rigs and artificial‑intelligence data centers.
Key details
- The proposed rule would block new projects that need 300 kilowatts (kW) or more of power.
- The ban would last for 12 months if adopted.
- Mayor Wendell Hughes has not yet signed the moratorium; the council will meet again on September 17.
- Plattsburgh previously banned Bitcoin mining for 18 months after a 2018 ordinance.
What officials said
During the hearing, Mayor Hughes and members of the common council heard public comments on the draft law that targets “certain high‑energy computing facilities,” covering both crypto mining and AI workloads.
What is confirmed
- The town’s council is considering a short‑term land‑use moratorium for operations using 300 kW or more.
- The moratorium would be 12 months long.
- The next council meeting is scheduled for September 17.
Open questions
It is not yet known whether the council will approve the moratorium at the September 17 meeting.
Why it matters
Plattsburgh’s earlier ban on Bitcoin mining was driven by resident concerns over high electricity costs. Expanding the ban to AI data centers could set a precedent for other municipalities facing similar energy‑use pressures.
Next steps
The council will vote on the proposal at its September 17 session. If passed, the moratorium would halt new approvals for qualifying facilities for a year.
