Buffalo NY proposed 2-year data center moratorium (2026)

Instrument: Common Council resolution (sponsor Golombek), adopted as amended Tuesday 2026-09-29 (WIVB: 'adopted his resolution as amended — but it's not over the finish line yet'). Scope: two-year moratorium on new data center projects and no expansions of existing data processing centers (WIVB); covers cryptocurrency facilities (Spectrum, WBEN); Buffalo News page description reports the resolution applies to data centers supporting 20 MW or more, including crypto mining/blockchain facilities (single outlet). Amendment: nine-member task force (city planner, climate action manager, community members per Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope). Next steps: Spectrum News says the amended resolution is expected back for a full vote in about two weeks (headline: 'delays data center moratorium vote'); WBEN says a Corporation Counsel local law preventing new data center construction is expected before the council by early October with a formal vote to follow. Outlets differ in framing (WBEN/Buffalo News 'approved'; Spectrum 'delayed'); entered as proposed because no binding local law exists. NOT ESTABLISHED: resolution number, vote tally (Buffalo News reportedly says unanimous; not read in article body), local law number. Mayor Sean Ryan: reviewing with Corporation Counsel before deciding how to proceed.