Massena, New York: Mohawks United in Safety and Health discuss data center concerns
Mohawks United in Safety and Health (MUSH) hosted an informational meeting in Massena, NY, to address concerns regarding proposed hyperscale data centers, including a project from NCCS. The group highlighted significant issues related to electricity and water consumption, thermal and noise pollution, and potential impacts on a nearby Superfund site. NCCS representatives attended and offered intervenor funds to stakeholders.
An informational meeting was held at the Massena Library on May 27, led by Mohawks United in Safety and Health (MUSH), to discuss proposed data center developments in St. Lawrence County, New York. MUSH, a group opposing data center establishment near the Akwesasne community, raised multiple environmental and energy concerns regarding these projects. New York State currently has 20 operational data centers and 36 proposed projects, with 11 targeted for St. Lawrence County, collectively requesting 4,974 MW of power from the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).
Among the specific proposals, one from NCCS in Massena is requesting an additional 200 MW, on top of its current 435 MW allocation. Dr. John Ortmeyer of Clarkson University highlighted New York's shrinking electricity safety net, noting that the proposed data centers' total power demands would exceed current available capacity, necessitating new power generation. MUSH representatives Marina Johnson-Zafiris and Ronni Sunday detailed concerns about NCCS's proposed hyperscale data center, which would require massive energy and water for generative AI operations.
NCCS recently shifted to a closed-loop cooling system to address concerns about St. Lawrence River water usage, planning to import water and export chemically-treated wastewater. However, MUSH questioned the source of the new water and the disposal of the concentrated blowdown, which contains harmful chemicals. Johnson-Zafiris also presented satellite imagery showing NCCS's existing bitcoin mining operation's thermal footprint, noting a 20°F temperature difference, raising concerns about thermal pollution's impact on local ecosystems and the nearby Superfund site with volatile PCBs. Noise pollution from 115 backup diesel generators, tested up to six at a time, was also a significant concern, as was the quality of jobs offered, with a former employee reporting heatstroke and black soot exposure.
In response to the community's concerns, NCCS representative Raul Carvalho offered intervenor funds to stakeholders, including MUSH and the county, to allow them to hire legal and consulting experts. This aims to protect residents' interests throughout the development process.