April 8 Update and Call to Action
As you know, GCEDC is currently reviewing the SEQR Application from STREAM US Data Centers and Apollo Global Management for their proposed 2.2 million square foot, 500 megawatt data center complex at STAMP. As you also know, GCEDC is accepting written comments from the public on this application. The documents that were the basis for these comments are a revised application that was uploaded to the GCEDC website on February 18.
Sometime between yesterday afternoon and this morning at 10am, the GCEDC uploaded a new revision of the SEQR application to the website. These documents, which total hundreds of pages and appear to contain extensive and significant revisions, are dated April 6.
Currently, GCEDC has set a supplemental public hearing for April 16 at 4pm and has extended the deadline for written comments to April 17.
Thus, the public has now been given less than 10 days to review and produce comments on ENTIRELY NEW APPLICATION MATERIALS from STREAM. This is simply not possible for the vast majority of the people who would be most impacted by the data center. It would not even be possible for subject matter experts, who are reviewing these materials in a professional capacity, to turn around a meaningful review and produce amended comments on this timeline.
Additionally, GCEDC has taken no steps to inform the public of this new application. Most people do not spend hours every day tracking the GCEDC website. This means that many people would not even be aware of this application shift. More than 1800 comments have ALREADY been submitted. It is quite possible that the revised application will mean that those comments are no longer applicable - but the people who submitted them will have no way of knowing that they need to submit updated comments to make sure that they are still relevant.
While we are not surprised - this is standard practice of the GCEDC - we are outraged. This is unacceptable and profoundly disrespectful. The stakes of the data center project are simply too high - in terms of the environmental, public health, quality of life, and economic impacts in question.
We demand that the GCEDC staff and Board further extend the date of the deadline for written comments, and re-set the date of the supplemental hearing - for a time when it is reasonable to expect that those most impacted by the data center plan - ie, working people, people who have other life responsibilities - have a chance to review and comment on the new materials. Send them an email today.
At the same time, because we do not expect that GCEDC will change the deadline and date, we urge people to still plan at this time to submit their comments by their April 17 deadline - and plan to attend the hearings on April 16 and April 20.
Here's how to take action:
- Enter your name, zip code, and email address in the form to the right
- The form will automatically send an email to all members of the GCEDC Board of Directors plus CEO Mark Masse.
- You can also add your own comments in the blank box.
Here's what your letter will say:
Dear GCEDC Board of Directors,
I was outraged to learn that GCEDC has uploaded a new revision of the SEQR application and supporting documents to the GCEDC website sometime between April 7 and April 8.
I demand that GCEDC further extend the date of the deadline for written comments, and re-set the date of the supplemental hearing - for a time when it is reasonable to expect that those who would be most impacted by the data center complex have a chance to review and produce meaningful comment on the new materials.
You must show greater respect for public participation in this review process. The stakes of this proposed project - in terms of impacts to our environment, public health, economic well-being, and quality of life - are simply too high.
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And please submit a comment directly to STAMP developer GCEDC on the data center: https://act.nyrenews.org/public-comments-on-stream-us-data-centers-stamp-data-center-complex1
The GCEDC needs to hear from members of the public to stop this massive data center by midnight on Friday, April 17. And if you can, join us at the supplemental public hearing: Thursday, April 16 at 4pm in the Town of Alabama. Click here to RSVP.
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On Thursday, March 19 the GCEDC held a public hearing on the request from STREAM US Data Centers and Apollo Global Management for $1.46 billion in taxpayer subsidies for their proposed 2.2 million square foot, 500 MW data center complex at STAMP. GCEDC would earn $146 million in fees from the deal.
The hearing started at 7pm and lasted until 12:30am. At least 300 people packed into the Town of Alabama Fire Hall. All but TWO speakers - both of whom work for organizations that stand to benefit financially from the deal - spoke in powerful opposition.
It's clear: Genesee County, the GLOW Region, and WNY say NO to the STAMP Monster Data Center. The hearing provided an opportunity for much-needed truth telling about the data center, GCEDC's failures over the years. We built community and solidarity in that hearing.
But there were some issues:
- Members of the GCEDC Board of Directors, which will vote on the incentive package, seemed not to be present.
- Because the hearing did not begin until 7pm on a work night / school night, many individuals left before they had a chance to comment. Additionally, that meant that those individuals did not hear their fellow community members who spoke after they left - and that most members of the media had left long before the end of the hearing.
- Neither STREAM nor GCEDC answered questions from the public.
- Commenters raised serious issues about gaps and inconsistencies of information in the materials shared publicly by STREAM, as well as about its financial backer, Apollo Global Management. Many of these gaps and inconsistencies have also been flagged by GCEDC's OWN PAID CONSULTANTS.
- GCEDC uploaded a videorecording of the hearing that distorts critical aspects of the event and public response
GCEDC does not plan to hold additional hearings, and has set March 31 as the deadline for written comment on the data center proposal. This is unacceptable. We demand:
For more info: STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook
Call/Text: 595-300-4825. Email: alliesoftsn@gmail.com
Photo by Sarah Howard. Tonawanda Seneca Nation Bear Clan Sitting Chief Scott Logan holding a Wampum Belt. Background: GCEDC CEO Mark Masse, Atty. Matt Fitzgerald, and Atty. Adam Walters.
Note: By taking action in the fight against STAMP, you consent to sharing your contact information with Allies of TSN.