Kathy Hochul's Monster Data Center: What's at stake for New Yorkers

NYS Governor Kathy Hochul is talking a lot these days about affordability for everyday New Yorkers. But did you know? Her Empire State Development Corporation awarded $56 million in taxpayer dollars to finance an onsite electrical substation at the long-failing WNY Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) mega-industrial site. 

And now a monster data center complex - backed by Private Equity firm Apollo Global Management and slated to be used by an undisclosed Big Tech company worth $100 billion - is asking for $1.46 billion in tax abatements to use almost all of the substation's available power for generative AI. The data center wants to use 500 MW of electricity - equivalent to what 410,000 residential homes use in a year.

Adding this data center to the grid would jack up your electricity rates (and increase downstate air pollution). it would decrease local property values and rob the County and local municipalities of tax revenues. It would pollute the air and water of the surrounding community and threaten the existence of the federally recognized Tonawanda Seneca Nation, whose Reservation Territory lies one half mile from the proposed data center site.

Who loses? The taxpayers of NYS, who are subsidizing this data center three times over. The residents of Genesee County and the citizens of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, who deeply value their region's beautiful forests and wetlands. 

Who wins? Big Tech, Private Equity, and Multinational Corporations.  

Kathy Hochul: we smell your hypocrisy and we call you on it. Local residents and the Nation have forcefully rejected the data center (multiple times, in fact!). Let's join them in saying NO: to the data center, and to STAMP as currently imagined. 

Let's STAMP Out Kathy Hochul's Monster Data Center!

No to the $1.46 billion, No to SEQR Environmental Approval. Kathy Hochul must put an end to this monstrous plan that threats our quality of life, our environmental well-being, and our cost of living. 

Kathy Hochul needs to hear from YOU today. 

Here's how to take action:

  1. Enter your name and zip code in the form to the right
  2. The form will automatically send an email to GCEDC.

Here's what your letter will say:

"I am writing as a concerned resident of New York state to oppose the proposed data center complex at STAMP in the Town of Alabama, New York. I oppose the financial incentives request submitted by STREAM US Data Centers; I oppose the granting of SEQR Environmental Approvals for the project; and I oppose the allocation of additional NYS direct and indirect subsidies, as well as permits and approvals to STAMP. The entire mega industrial site is a failing boondoggle and must be rethought. The Governor must intervene immediately."

Want to add your own comments?

That's great! Simply type them in the empty box under "Email." Then hit "Send." Click here for more information to help inform your custom comments. 

Learn more about the fight against the proposed data center at STAMP here. You can also follow Allies of Tonawanda Seneca Nation online: LinktreeFacebookInstagram, and on their website.

And please submit a comment directly to STAMP developer GCEDC on the data center. Deadline for comments is March 31. https://act.nyrenews.org/public-comments-on-stream-us-data-centers-stamp-data-center-complex1

Photo credit:Matthew McDermottFrom NY Post Article, "Gov. Kathy Hochul allegedly catered to wealthy campaign donors"

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