Plattsburgh considers 12-month pause on crypto mining and AI data centres to curb high-power facilities

Plattsburgh in New York state is considering reintroducing temporary regulations on AI data centres and cryptocurrency mining facilities.

Cointelegraph reported on Monday that Plattsburgh held a public hearing on a plan to suspend land-use approvals for 12 months for computing facilities that consume large amounts of electricity.

The agenda centres on a short-term ban related to "certain high-energy computing facilities". The targets include cryptocurrency mining and AI facilities. If the ordinance passes, operating facilities requiring 300 kW or more would see new approval procedures halted for 12 months.

Mayor Wendell Hughes (웬델 휴스) and the city council heard residents' views at a public hearing last week. The discussions proceeded in a way that would temporarily restrict land use itself. As of Monday, the mayor has not yet approved the ban. The city council plans to hold an additional meeting on Sept. 17.

Plattsburgh is among the early local governments in the United States to directly ban bitcoin mining. The area imposed a bitcoin mining ban in 2018 in response to concerns over residents' electricity bills, and the grace period at the time was 18 months. The latest discussions are being seen as a move to expand the existing mining regulatory scope to AI data centres.