Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council opposes data center development
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is opposing hyperscale data center development near the Akwesasne Territory, citing potential impacts on energy use, water resources, air quality, and cultural resources. The Massena Town Board rejected a proposed six-month data center moratorium in a 3-2 vote, despite tribal members advocating for a three-year pause.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council has declared its opposition to hyperscale data center development near the southern portion of the Akwesasne Territory in Massena, New York. Tribal leaders said the projects could threaten the community’s economy, environment and cultural resources through high energy consumption, water use, air pollution, and noise and light pollution.
Tribal members have attended recent Massena Town Board meetings seeking a three-year moratorium on data center development. The board rejected a six-month moratorium by a 3-2 vote, with Supervisor Ray Lancto and Board Member Kristy Baker Dubrey supporting it and Deputy Supervisor Sam Carbone and Board Members Adrian Taraska and Jared Hollander opposing it. The Tribal Council also pointed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide data center moratorium as an opportunity for further consultation on impacts to tribal land, water and air quality.