Proposed $19.4B data center draws community, environmental concerns

A proposed $19.46 billion data center by Stream Data Centers in the Town of Alabama, Genesee County, New York, is encountering strong community and environmental opposition. The facility, planned for the Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP), would be one of the nation's largest, spanning 2.2 million square feet. Bradley Wells, senior site selection and development manager for Stream Data Centers, cited the site's existing infrastructure as a key factor in their choice. Oisín Ó Murchú, Stream's chief development officer, highlighted the center's role in powering essential digital services like banking and healthcare. However, the project faces significant pushback, particularly from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, whose spokesperson, Grandell Logan, stated, "We told them we don't want them as a neighbor." Concerns revolve around potential noise pollution, water usage, and electricity demands, especially given the campus's proximity to the Tonawanda Seneca Nation's land and the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Logan emphasized the importance and protected status of the "Big Woods" area. Mark Masse, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), which owns STAMP, acknowledged the environmental concerns, noting they are under review by the GCEDC as the lead agency for SEQR. Stream Data Centers has responded to these concerns, with Ó Murchú committing to "extremely low noise limits" of 45 decibels and asserting that water use would be minimal, comparable to a small office building. The GCEDC also highlights the project's potential to generate over half a billion dollars in property and sales tax revenue, which could fund a county-wide water project, but it relies on substantial tax incentives. Despite the developers' assurances, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation remains unconvinced, citing fears about light and noise pollution crossing borders and emphasizing their sovereignty: "Being a sovereign nation, nobody can tell us what's best for our people. To us, there is no acceptable amount of risk." The project is currently awaiting final environmental and site plan approval from the GCEDC and the Town of Alabama Planning Board, with developers aiming to break ground within three months.