Massena begins pre-review of data center proposed at former Alcoa site
The Massena Planning Board has referred a proposed $5 billion data center project by NYDIG at the former Alcoa East site to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a determination on whether it is a permitted use in an industrial zone. Data centers are not currently authorized there, and the town may need to amend its codes or the project may require a use variance. Consultants will be hired to review energy usage (635 MW), noise, traffic, and cooling systems.
The Massena Planning Board has initiated a pre-submission review for a proposed $5 billion data center expansion by New York Digital Investment Group (NYDIG) at the former Alcoa East industrial site. A key step involves the Planning Board asking the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to determine if a large-scale data center is a permitted use in the industrial zone, as current town regulations do not explicitly authorize such facilities there. This referral was recommended by the St. Lawrence County Planning Board during its site plan review.
Vance Fleury, Chairman of the Massena Planning Board, indicated that if the project does not align with current zoning, NYDIG would either need to resubmit for a use variance or the Town of Massena would have to amend its code to allow data centers. Fleury noted the town is already working on updating its code, which could run parallel to this process. NYDIG, which is owned by Stone Ridge Asset Management and has a stake in Coinmint (which operates Bitcoin mining at the site), plans to expand the existing operation.
To facilitate the review, developers have established a $100,000 escrow account to fund consultants who will study various aspects of the plan. These studies will cover environmental impacts, including energy usage (projected at 635 megawatts), noise concerns, and traffic. Deputy Town Supervisor Samuel D. Carbone Jr. and board member David Grant also emphasized the need for in-depth analysis on the power system and a detailed review of the proposed closed-loop cooling system, which board members found raised questions regarding its efficiency for such a large operation.