Cayuga water withdrawal resolution

The former legislator spoke in favor of Resolution D, calling full reevaluation of the Lansing site 'common sense' to protect Cayuga Lake.

A new Lansing resident worried warm water discharge could increase harmful algal blooms and that the data center could raise energy prices.

An engineer calculated the data center would use more power than all homes in Tompkins and Cortland counties combined and questioned where withdrawn water would be discharged.

Argued TeraWulf is misleading the town board about water use and urged the DEC to treat the application as a new permit.

A retired teacher asked about heat and noise pollution impacts and studies on Cornell's lake source cooling.

Demanded a full environmental impact statement, saying the lake's water does not belong to any single entity.

An environmental biologist who said the change from coal plant to 400 MW data center is a material change requiring DEC environmental review.

A farmer who cited the lake's role in tourism and questioned inaccuracies in the application; also asked why her electric bill rose $4,000 despite lower usage.

Said the community does not need the data center and it would be a net detriment.

Called the lake sacred and said she does not trust the network of interconnected TeraWulf corporations.

Drinks lake water via Bolton Point and supports requiring a full environmental review of the water withdrawal plan.

Argued the resolution is fundamentally about community accountability from Cayuga Operating/TeraWulf and its history of lawsuits and intimidation.

Supported the resolution but said it should list every nested LLC and urged no tax abatements for the company.

Gave decades of context on Cayuga Lake protection efforts, opposed once-through cooling, and questioned whether the fire-suppression permit is hypothetical.

A science writer who fully supports the resolution but said it doesn't go far enough and suggested a plan B if the DEC is unreceptive.

A librarian who cited a Cornell study projecting AI data centers could emit 24-44 million metric tons of CO2 and drain massive water volumes by 2030.

A Lansing resident living two miles from the site who supports requiring a new permit and fresh evaluation.

Spoke for the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, which submitted DEC comments supporting a new permit; noted the site's purpose is undetermined.

A Lansing resident who hikes and paddleboards near the site and supports a new evaluation given the dramatic change in use.

A physician-scientist who argued the 400 MW data center is a fundamentally different industrial use requiring a new permit and full environmental review, with costs not shifted to taxpayers.

A retired county planner who called Cayuga Lake the county's most significant environmental resource and urged legislators to be the public's voice to the DEC.

A tech entrepreneur who said Ithaca has among the most expensive electricity in the country and anything slowing the data center helps affordability.

Referenced his Texas hometown's poisoned groundwater from a paper mill and urged thorough study of corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and thermal pollution.

Heard TeraWulf's CEO promise no lake water cooling and cited HABs reports and runoff risks from clearing the forested, sloped site.

A Newfield resident concerned about heavy metal testing gaps in the permits and the permitted 98°F discharge temperature.

A new homeowner who feels duped, fears unaffordable electric bills, and distrusts TeraWulf after being blocked on social media.

Argued TeraWulf's claimed clean energy won't cover even 35% of the data center's potential consumption and urged passage.

A 30-year Ithaca and Lansing resident at his first legislature meeting, supporting a new permit and full environmental review.

A Ulysses resident who described witnessing industrial pollution's legacy in Louisiana's Cancer Alley and asked legislators to vote yes.

A Dryden resident who drinks lake water, noted rising harmful algal blooms, and said warmer discharge would feed them.