Biomass-fueled data center project planned in Amador County
New York GreenCloud (NYGC) is developing the Buena Vista AI Factory, a biomass-fueled data center, in Amador County, California. The project involves converting an existing biomass plant to power a carbon-negative AI factory. While the site is appropriately zoned, permits for expansion and an environmental impact report are still pending, with a significant investment planned for modernization.
New York GreenCloud (NYGC) is developing the Buena Vista AI Factory, a biomass-fueled data center, at a defunct biomass site in Amador County, California, adjacent to Harrah’s Northern California. This project aims to integrate biomass-to-pyrolysis energy systems with off-the-grid liquid-cooled AI computing power, positioning itself as a carbon-negative solution.
In January, NYGC announced its acquisition of the Buena Vista Biomass Power (BVBP) facility in Ione. The plan, supported by engineering partner BucSha Energy and advised by Impact Capital Partners, is to convert the existing 18MW biomass plant into a 41MW power platform, which will then fuel the AI factory using regionally sourced forestry and agricultural residues.
Amador County District 3 Supervisor Jeff Brown confirmed a $4 million investment has already gone into bringing the plant back into operation, with an additional $171 million planned for modernization and the adjacent data center. While the property is appropriately zoned, Supervisor Brown noted that a construction permit and a required Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the expansion have not yet been pulled. The project aims for self-sufficiency in power and water, aligning with federal requirements.
The development comes amidst broader regional concerns about data centers' environmental impacts and resource demands. Calaveras County supervisors, for instance, have directed staff to prepare a temporary moratorium on data centers due to worries about energy and water use, a topic also discussed by the Modesto city council.