Rural communities in Western New York are debating proposed data centers. One site is located on Seneca Lake, in a facility currently being used for cryptomining. Opponents are concerned about noise, pollution, and the rapid move toward artificial intelligence. Local governments want to keep debates grounded in facts. Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order putting a moratorium on new hyperscale data center development for one year. What do you need to know about this issue, which has generated heated discussions across the state? We discuss what’s on the table. Our guests:
- Steve Griffin, CEO of Finger Lakes Economic Development Council
- Jason Leifer, Dryden town supervisor
- Yvonne Taylor, vice president of Seneca Lake Guardian
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Beginning October 5, "Connections" will air live for one hour at noon each weekday, down from its previous two-hour format. The change gives the "Connections" team more time for original reporting, live events, and reaching audiences in new ways, including a weekly Sunday presentation on WXXI-TV. For listeners on WXXI-FM 105.9, WEOS-FM 88.5/90.3 (Geneva), and streaming on WXXINews.org, the show will be followed at 1 p.m. by the Peabody Award-winning "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley. Click here to learn more.
