A proposed 300 megawatt data center at the former Tonawanda Coke site along River Road is now on hold.
Town of Tonawanda Supervisor John Flynn told BTPM NPR that the developer requested their application to be paused because of a "backlog" with New York Independent System Operator. That is the public-benefit corporation that monitors and safeguards the state's electrical grid.
NYISO's review of the proposed data center's electrical usage is a key tool local governments use in development approvals, and that review could now take "several month," according to Flynn.
"The time from interconnection request to power varies greatly based on several factors," said NYISO Vice President of Communications Kevin Lanahan. "Including how efficient large load developers are with providing the necessary information to conduct the proper system studies as well as the connecting utility’s assessment of what upgrades are necessary to reliably accommodate the project."
Lanahan noted NYISO does not approve, deny or direct whether projects proceed, they only produce studies to inform the public and local leaders in their decision making.
The scope of a system study for a project such as Riverview Innovation and Technology Campus would be quite large. Its projected power load of 300 megawatts is enough to power about 180,000 homes.
This is coupled with news from Albany that lawmakers will likely pass a one-year moratorium on new data center construction by the end of their session on Friday.
“We don't know what kind of chemicals are being used in the water cooling of these plants. We don't know how much electricity," said State Senator Jeremy Zellner, who represents Tonawanda and is a co-sponsor of the bill. "From what we hear, it's going to be just about as much electricity as my entire district uses. So I think what we need to do right now is get some answers to that, pump the brakes, and hold folks accountable."
Any moratorium on data centers passed by New York's legislature would be the first of its kind for a state in the nation.
BTPM NPR has reached out for comment from Riverview Innovation and Technology Campus. In a statement to the Buffalo News, Riverview said their intentions aren't to abandon the former Tonawanda Coke property, and proceed with the data center with more planning work.
Jon Williams, one of the main developers behind the project, has led an estimated $100 million remediation of the site.
A discussion of the site plan for the proposed Riverview Innovation and Technology Campus was on the agenda for tonight's Tonawanda Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. inside the Municipal Building, but now that item will likely be pulled.
The planning board will still meet as regularly scheduled.
