LANSING, NY (607NewsNow) — On Friday, August 28th, local and state elected officials and activists gathered at Salt Point Natural Area in Lansing as part of the statewide NY Fights AI Data Centers tour led by bill sponsor State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and the environmental group Food & Water Watch.

According to the No Data Center FLX Facebook page, “Speakers emphasized how important it is for Governor Hochul to sign the bill that was passed by Legislature earlier in the year, and how the Executive Order she did pass in regards to data centers is not as strict or protective for communities.”

Assemblymember Anna Kelles speaking at the Salt Point stop on the NY Fights AI Data Centers tour, photo taken by Renee Vogelsang and courtesy of No Data Center FLX.

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez’s webpage on the New York State Senate site states the purpose of the NY Fights AI Data Centers tour, which took place from August 21st to August 30th, was “to hear the concerns from impacted communities and advocate for Governor Hochul to sign the Responsible Data Center Development Act (S10642 GONZALEZ/A11560 BARRETT), which codifies requirements around public participation and transparency, renewable energy use, labor standards, and public benefits.”

No Data Center FLX is a grassroots organization advocating against the TeraWulf data center that has been proposed on Cayuga Lake. Earlier this summer, the group gathered with others to present a petition against the data center at a Lansing Town Board meeting.

State Senator Lea Webb addresses the crowd at Salt Point, photo taken by Renee Vogelsang and courtesy of No Data Center FLX.

Find more information about No Data Center FLX here.