10/18/2026
Dutchess County Legislature Backs Pause on Large-Scale Data Centers
HV Newswire
By Roger Rosenbaum
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Dutchess County lawmakers unanimously passed a bipartisan memorialization resolution calling for action to protect the community from large-scale data center developments and offering support to municipalities seeking to enact local moratoria.
Resolution No. 163, brought forward by Legislator Chris Drago (D, District 19) and colleagues, urges a temporary halt to hyperscale facility growth across the county. The measure passed by voice vote following a broad debate over environmental risks, energy grid demands, and the broader social implications of artificial intelligence.
Legislator Lisa Kaul (D-District 5) highlighted the strain hyper-scale facilities put on local infrastructure, noting that a data center previously proposed in East Fishkill was projected to consume more electricity than the entire city of Buffalo. Call also pointed to heavy municipal water consumption, air pollution from diesel backup generators, and round-the-clock cooling fan noise.
"Data centers, especially hyperscale data centers, are a perfect example of what makes ordinary people and municipalities feel powerless and put upon," Kaul said during discussion, advocating for a temporary pause like the proposed state Responsible Data Center Development Act to assess community costs.
Legislator Brendan Lawler (D, District 4), a humanities teacher, warned against rushing into AI infrastructure expansion driven by corporate debt and profit motives at the expense of human labor and community well-being.
The resolution also pledges county assistance—including model moratorium templates—for local towns and cities considering their own temporary bans on large-scale tech development.
"The Environment Committee voted on this unanimously last week," Drago said. "The resolution also offers support for any municipality that wants to have their own moratorium... if that is of interest, please do get in touch and we're happy to help."
The debate turned to state investments when Legislator and Minority Leader Michael Polasek (R, District 3) noted that the New York State Common Retirement Fund held $4.6 billion in Nvidia stock in 2025. Polasek suggested that lawmakers who view AI as an existential threat should consider petitioning the state comptroller regarding divestment.
In response, Legislator Eric Alexander (D, District 25) sought clarification on whether the Minority Leader was advocating for complete divestment from tech holdings. Polasek responded that elected officials participating in the state pension system should align their financial holdings with their legislative stance.
Following the discussion, the resolution passed without opposition.
Dutchess County Government
Sue Serino
