Activists rally outside Schumer's office as Senate weighs AI data center permitting bill

Environmental activists are rallying outside Sen. Chuck Schumer's Midtown Manhattan office Monday morning, urging the New York Democrat to oppose the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, a permitting overhaul they say would fast-track AI data centers. The Senate is expected to take up the bill, which has bipartisan support. Protesters, including New York Communities for Change, cite the projects' energy and water use and pollution from gas turbines, while supporters say more capacity is needed to meet AI demand and keep the US competitive. Schumer's office had not responded to ABC7's request for comment.