"The Backlash Against AI Data Centers," Sep. 30 (W) at 3:30pm

[Daniel Lake]

*The Institute for Ethics in Public Life invites you to join us for **"The
Backlash Against AI Data Centers"** on Wednesday, September 30, at 3:30pm
(in person and on Zoom) with special guest NYS Assemblymember Michael
Cashman '03 M.S. '06.*

Public opposition to AI data centers is a rare bipartisan issue, with recent
Pew polling
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/09/22/americans-views-of-data-centers-have-turned-more-negative/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1790782388753171&usg=AOvVaw2HUwcPUQl2TpwaEIJbmaAt>
showing that majorities of both Republicans and Democrats opposed to new
data center construction near their homes. Opposition to data centers tends
to be based on their environmental impact (water usage and noise pollution
in particular), impact on residential electricity rates, and reducing the
quality of life of nearby residents.

On the other side
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/business/2026/06/23/americas-data-centre-backlash-puts-the-ai-boom-at-risk?giftId%3DYWI4ZTlhOTYtZTg4YS00NjQ2LWFkYjYtOWI1ZDRjZWMyYWY0%26utm_campaign%3Dgifted_article&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1790782388753171&usg=AOvVaw2jyWoBGV4BoNJSfHuxuxN1>,
AI firms argue that massive investment in data centers is necessary if we
are to stay ahead of China in the AI race and tout the potential for AI to
speed up scientific advances and usher in a new age of prosperity.
Proponents also argue that data centers provide good jobs and tax revenue
to local communities, and that the fresh water usage and impact on
electricity rates are both minor
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/09/03/the-moral-panic-over-data-centres-is-foolish?giftId%3DNjQ4YWI0ZGEtNWMyZS00NjBiLWE4Y2EtZDNhZDY0NjJiYWQ2%26utm_campaign%3Dgifted_article&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1790782388753171&usg=AOvVaw1Q-QP7qSa13Sa4G_f6lNAC>
.

In New York, Governor Hochul signed an executive order that imposed the first
statewide moratorium on construction of new hyperscale data centers
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/first-statewide-moratorium-new-hyperscale-data-centers-launched-governor-kathy-hochul&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1790782388753171&usg=AOvVaw1KwP0ntzstJn8KO8IyB9c_>.
This is in effect for up to a year, to allow the state to develop new
environmental and energy standards for data centers and repeal a state tax
exemption. The state legislature has also acted on this issue, with the
Assembly and Senate passing A11560
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A11560&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1790782388753171&usg=AOvVaw3-FO0L0flKEyJrxfW-DPvZ>
(the
Governor has yet to sign the bill), which will impose a one-year moratorium
on issuance of permits for new data center construction and require
measures to mitigate the potential negative impact on electrical rates and
local communities.

To help us understand this complex issue, we welcome Assemblymember Michael
Cashman, our representative in the Assembly and one of the co-sponsors of
A11560, to the Institute.

*Michael S. Cashman* '03 M.S. '06  has represented the 115th District in
the NY State Assembly since November, 2025. Prior to his election to the
Assembly, he served as the Town Supervisor of the Town of Plattsburgh for
nearly a decade. In the Assembly, Cashman is focused on housing, accessible
healthcare, quality education, infrastructure investment, reliable
broadband and cell service, economic opportunity for farmers and small
businesses, public safety, and long-term planning that delivers for the
people of the North Country.

A first-generation college graduate and two-time SUNY Plattsburgh alumnus.
Cashman has been an active leader in higher education and national service.
He serves on the SUNY Plattsburgh University Council and, in 2024, received
the National TRIO Achiever Award from the Council for Opportunity in
Education for his advocacy on behalf of first-generation and low-income
students. Beyond local government, he has served as Chair of the New York
State Commission on National and Community Service, helping advance
volunteerism and strengthen AmeriCorps programs across the state.

Please join us in person in the Thomas Moran Seminar Room of the Institute
for Ethics in Public Life (Hawkins 233) or on Zoom (see below).

Topic: The Backlash Against AI Data Centers
Time: Sep 30, 2026 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/84916518219
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/84916518219&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1790782388753171&usg=AOvVaw1wu3DoDM5LbMxXdTGKUnG2>

*Upcoming events are posted on the Institute's public calendar, which you
can follow here
<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y19sa245c3MxcjdscjExdmM0ZzNtMDlyaDUyb0Bncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t>.*


-- 

*Daniel Lake*

(pronouns: he/him/his)

Professor of Political Science

Director, Institute for Ethics in Public Life

Hawkins 149A

101 Broad Street
<https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g>

Plattsburgh, NY 12901
<https://maps.google.com/?q=101+Broad+Street+Plattsburgh,+NY+12901&entry=gmail&source=g>

(o) 518-564-5833 <(518)%5645833>

*plattsburgh.edu <http://plattsburgh.edu/>*
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