Genesee County board approves data center resolutions amid protests and statewide moratorium threat
New York State legislators passed a bill proposing a one-year moratorium on data center permitting, which now awaits the Governor's signature. Simultaneously, the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved resolutions for STREAM U.S. Data Centers' proposed 500-megawatt project in the Town of Alabama, amid local protests concerning environmental impact and energy usage. The approvals covered payments for environmental and noise studies and power substation work, with a consultant's letter addressing grid capacity and potential positive impacts on electric rates.
New York State legislators have passed a bill that would impose a one-year moratorium on data center permitting across the state, a measure now awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature to become law.
Hours before this legislative action, the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board convened, facing approximately 15 protesters, and approved three resolutions crucial for STREAM U.S. Data Centers' proposed $19.46 billion, 2.2-million-square-foot facility at the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in the Town of Alabama. The approved measures included a recommendation to pay $5,000 to CC Environment & Planning and $750,000 to Philips Lytle for their assistance in evaluating the 500-megawatt data center, with costs to be reimbursed by STREAM U.S. Additionally, the GCEDC approved transferring $1 million to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for substation review and design, and entered a $4.3 million contract with Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation (RG&E) for engineering and construction requirements related to an existing RG&E substation.
GCEDC President/CEO Mark Masse informed the board of a letter from Dennis Elsenbeck of Philips Lytle LLC, which addressed public concerns regarding the data center’s energy usage and STAMP’s power grid capacity. Elsenbeck, a former National Grid employee, asserted that STAMP could support the 500-megawatt data center, citing the New York Independent System Operator's determination that the site can handle 600 megawatts of annual electrical demand. The letter also suggested that the data center could positively impact consumer electric rates by contributing to fixed climate-related costs, which could then be recovered through the data center’s high electric bills.
Following the meeting, protester Sandy Steele of Batavia confronted Masse, questioning potential personal profits from the data center's siting and accusing him of misrepresenting the Town of Alabama's vote. Masse clarified that the board was all-volunteer and that financial disclosure forms were filed, asserting that the town board had voted in 2012.