New York: Genesee County residents oppose large data center at STAMP site

This article details the significant local opposition to a proposed data center complex by STREAM U.S. Data Centers at the WNY Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Alabama, Genesee County, New York. The project, which is backed by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, represents a renewed effort following the withdrawal of an earlier, smaller proposal in response to a lawsuit from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the Sierra Club. Local residents, supported by over 100 NYS social and environmental justice organizations and the Monroe County Legislature Majority Caucus, are vocally against the development. They cite concerns over the data center's immense consumption of electricity and water, its potential for 24/7 noise and air pollution, e-waste generation, increased runoff impacting critical habitats, and strain on public services. The Genesee County Economic Development Committee (GCEDC) claims economic benefits, but a third-party assessment questions these figures, particularly in light of significant tax abatement requests. Public hearings have seen overwhelming opposition, with residents expressing distrust regarding project details, outdated environmental impact surveys, and a lack of transparency. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation has also spoken out to protect their way of life. New York Governor Hochul has remained neutral, labeling it a "local issue," despite the project's statewide implications for electricity prices and its reliance on state tax revenue for subsidies. The author, Emily Grant, a local nurse and farmer, urges county legislators and Governor Hochul to consider a statewide pause on data centers, prioritizing community welfare over corporate profits.