Mohawk Council of Akwesasne opposes proposed data center in Massena, New York
A massive data center is proposed in Massena, NY, near the Akwesasne Mohawk territory. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has formally opposed the development due to serious environmental and health concerns, referencing historical industrial pollution in the area. The author advocates for community members to support the opposition, highlighting a growing national resistance to data centers.
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has formally expressed serious concerns regarding a proposed large-scale data center at the former Alcoa East industrial site in Massena, New York, adjacent to the Akwesasne territory and the Canadian border. Citing historical environmental damage from industries like Alcoa and General Motors, the Council released a detailed letter of opposition, urging a thorough examination of current and former environmental conditions in the area. The article highlights previous pollution settlements paid by Reynolds and Alcoa for remediation efforts in 2013 and draws a connection between the region's industrial past and a pattern of early deaths from cancer among community leaders.
The author, referencing personal research into a previous bitcoin mining project at the same site, questions the economic trade-offs of such development against the backdrop of a climate crisis and the long-term health, environmental, and wildlife costs to residents. The piece calls on local institutions like the St. Lawrence River Institute to address the development given its extensive research on local waterways.
The article underscores a growing national trend of opposition to data center projects, noting that "cities and towns rising up" have blocked or delayed significant projects across the US. The author advocates for community solidarity with Akwesasne, suggesting that data center companies are seeking new areas to "exploit local resources" despite past environmental damages. The piece concludes by inviting readers to learn more about negative data center impacts from Erin Brockovich's research, framing data centers as "surveillance centres."