TeraWulf AI data center at Cayuga Lake faces 20,000-person petition and organized opposition from New York coalition.

A coalition of Finger Lakes groups delivered nearly 20,000 petition signatures to local officials on June 17, intensifying opposition to TeraWulf's proposed Cayuga Data campus along the shoreline of Cayuga Lake. Regional activists from FLX Strong, No Data Center FLX, CLEAN, Sustainable Finger Lakes, Ithaca DSA, and PSL Upstate presented the petition, titled "Reject the Development of an AI Data Center on Cayuga Lake," to the Lansing Town Board. Organizers reported collecting more than 19,700 signatures, including 17,000 from New York state residents.

Opponents argue the proposal could significantly alter the region through noise pollution, rising utility costs, and environmental degradation. Ken Wolkin, FLX Strong President and Ludlowville resident, stated: "More than anything, we are a group of residents who are concerned with noise pollution, rising utility costs, and degradation to the natural environment and the neighboring wildlife."

A No Data Center FLX contributor identified as Allison emphasized the coalition's focus on public awareness rather than exaggeration. "We're not here to over exaggerate, but to disseminate what we know and let residents know how this project and similar ones will affect them if they are permitted," Allison said. She warned that the effects would extend beyond the immediate area: "When large loads like 300 MW get added to the grid, the whole region will feel the impacts in the wholesale costs of electricity and potentially infrastructure upgrades being passed on to rate payers."

The challenge has expanded on multiple fronts. A Tompkins County Supreme Court judge ruled that opponents can proceed with a legal challenge to the Lansing Zoning Board of Appeals' determination that the proposed facility qualifies as a permitted lakeshore use. The coalition is also monitoring the Responsible Data Center Development Act as it reaches Governor Kathy Hochul's desk, with Allison stating: "With the Responsible Data Center Development Act now headed to Governor Kathy Hochul's desk, our calls to action are focused on putting pressure on the Governor to not veto or gut the bill."

Locally, No Data Center FLX and FLX Strong planned a public presentation for June 25 to discuss data centers, their environmental and economic impacts, the Lansing proposal, and available community responses. Allison noted that TeraWulf had acknowledged uncertainty about infrastructure upgrade costs during an April 27 meeting, despite previously assuring residents the company would cover those expenses.