Group wants DEC to be lead agency for environmental review process

Press Release, Allies of Tonawanda Seneca Nation

ALABAMA, NY – Local residents are denouncing a sprawling data center complex proposed by STREAM US Data Centers and corporate parent Apollo Global Management at Western New York Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing (STAMP) being developed by the Genesee County Economic Development Center in Alabama, NY.

Residents join the Tonawanda Seneca Nation in demanding that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation take over from GCEDC as lead agency for purposes of environmental review of the new data center plan, which at 2.2 million square feet and 500 megawatts would be the largest in Western New York and more than twice as large as a plan proposed by STREAM and rejected by the community earlier this year.

“As a resident of Genesee County, I am outraged by STREAM’s new and monstrous plan. I urge all my neighbors and community members to join me in echoing the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s call for NYSDEC to take over as lead agency. GCEDC being in this role is the definition of the fox guarding the henhouse and would lead to even more harm and failed promises,” said Adrienne Yocina, a Pembroke resident who has been active in the Rethink STAMP campaign.

Calls from the GLOW Region are bolstered by a recent letter, signed by more than 100 environmental, faith, human rights, and good governance groups and 500 individuals from across New York state, which urges STREAM and Apollo to abandon plans for a data center at STAMP.

The letter, sent just prior to publication of plans for the new data center, expresses far-ranging concerns about the threats from such a facility to regional environmental quality, local quality of life, and the sovereignty and well-being of the federally recognized Tonawanda Seneca Nation, whose Reservation Territory abuts the parcel under consideration for a data center and whose Council of Chiefs has long expressed opposition to industrial development at STAMP. STREAM withdrew an earlier data center proposal after the Nation and the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

“Stream’s first proposal was met with powerful, unanimous opposition from local community members and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation – including nearly 800 written comments, 50 spoken comments made at a public hearing, and countless opinion pieces published in local papers. A proposal for an even larger project would be an insult to the many people who passionately detailed the unsuitability of this site for a data center project,” the letter asserts. “Locating a data center on the Nation’s unceded homelands, surrounded by a network of public protected lands and in the middle of a vast complex of thriving, biodiverse wetlands: this is an ecological travesty that also threatens the existence of the Nation.”

STREAM’s new plan envisions a massive complex of three towering structures more than 100 feet tall, occupying more than 2.2 million square feet and using more than 500 megawatts of electricity per year. The facility would burn tens of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and emit carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, benzene, and other hazardous air pollutants. 500 megawatts is roughly the amount of energy required to power 350,000-375,000 residential homes for a year.

Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and others recently held a press conference outside the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees Meeting to highlight the ongoing failure of Governor Hochul, NYPA CEO Justin Driscoll, and the NYPA Board of Trustees to uphold the stated demands of the Nation regarding allocations of Niagara River low-cost hydropower to industrial tenants at STAMP. In an April 2025 letter, the Nation wrote that it “strongly opposes any allocation of low-cost hydropower to a data center at STAMP.”

STREAM intends to take advantage of space that was previously part of a parcel owned by Plug Power, which paused construction on its green hydrogen manufacturing facility in 2023, leaving a gap in financing for the onsite electrical substation. Despite hundreds of millions in taxpayer subsidies, Plug Power never turned a profit and has never produced hydrogen or a single permanent job at STAMP. Project Double Reed’s backers claim the project would produce roughly 90 permanent jobs.

STREAM’s plan also calls for onsite storage of 114,000 gallons of diesel fuel and discharge of 20,000 gallons of sanitary wastewater per day. Currently, GCEDC plans to store sanitary wastewater discharge from operations at STAMP in a large sewage tank located onsite. Wastewater would be transported daily by diesel truck to be dumped at a municipal wastewater facility in the Village of Oakfield.

GCEDC’s STAMP Committee and Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, December 18 at 3:30 p.m. at the MedTech Centre in Batavia. GCEDC is expected to formalize its intent to take lead agency status for environmental review of the data center complex under SEQRA, giving other agencies 30 days to accept or dispute GCEDC taking this role.

In September, GCEDC voluntarily rescinded approvals for a smaller data center plan from STREAM. This rescission followed litigation by Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the Sierra Club, which asked that the approvals be vacated based on GCEDC’s violations of both procedural and substantive requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The litigation contended that GCEDC violated the law when it issued decisions awarding subsidies of $472 million to Stream U.S. Data Centers and conducted environmental review without project specifics or site plan review.

“Data center” is a generic term referring to operations ranging from cryptocurrency mining to Artificial Intelligence processing. Data centers are well known for their massive energy demands and for producing continuous low-frequency noise and vibrations. Scientific research establishes a link between excessive noise exposure and harms to both public health and the health of wildlife.

Data centers also produce significant air pollution and add significant load to the energy grid, leading to higher consumer electrical bills and increasing the frequency of blackouts and brownouts. Data centers produce few permanent jobs, rarely remain in operation for more than 10-15 years, and face growing opposition from communities across the country concerned about their noxious public health and environmental impacts.

Brian Stratton served 15 years in role and pushed for bigger impact of historic waterway in canal towns

Press Release, Governor Kathy Hochul

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brian Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation, was in Medina on June 15, 2021 with then Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul to tout the “On the Canals” program to bring visitors to Orleans County. The Canal Corp. teamed with the YMCA to rent kayaks and hydro-bikes for free. Stratton said the state is pushing to make the canal a bigger impact in the canal towns. That included keeping water in the canal about a month longer than usual to boost tributary fishing and encouraging farmers to use canal water to irrigate fields, which made a big difference during this year’s drought conditions.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Power Authority has hired Benjamin R. Walsh as the next Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. Walsh has served as the Mayor of Syracuse since 2018 and moves to the Canal Corporation with a record of practical leadership, inclusive economic development, and successful government innovation.

“Ben Walsh delivered real results for Syracuse, from revitalizing neighborhoods to preparing workers for the jobs of the future,” Governor Hochul said. “His experience driving collaboration and transformative growth will be an asset as we move into the historic canal system’s third century and will benefit the Canal Corporation, canal communities, and New Yorkers and tourists alike.”

As Mayor of Syracuse, Walsh has overseen a resurgence in the city since taking office in 2018. He launched Syracuse Surge, making the city New York’s “Flagship Smart City,” expanded affordable housing through the Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative, and created Syracuse Build to prepare residents for careers tied to the I-81 reconstruction. He also guided the city through the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully coordinated the allocation of $123 million in federal relief funds.

NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “I am pleased to welcome Ben Walsh to the Canal Corporation as we chart the next century for the organization. His experience guiding transformative projects in Syracuse demonstrates a pragmatic approach to economic development, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term sustainability. As we continue to revitalize the Canals to drive recreation, tourism, and economic growth, Mayor Walsh’s vision and expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that this historic system remains a source of pride for New York State.”

Photo from City of Syracuse: Mayor Ben Walsh

An outdoor enthusiast and lifelong New Yorker, Walsh holds an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and is a graduate of Ithaca College. Before becoming mayor, Walsh played key roles in the creation of the Greater Syracuse Land Bank and the redevelopment of the historic Hotel Syracuse, earning a reputation as a pragmatic leader who brings stakeholders together to achieve meaningful results.

As mayor, he has worked closely with New York State to advance transformative projects, including leading the City’s efforts on the over $2 billion I-81 Community Grid and partnering with the state on the redevelopment of the former Syracuse Developmental Center site, where state-funded demolition and remediation are paving the way for market-rate, workforce, and affordable housing.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “New York State’s canal system is a jewel, and I have seen firsthand the positive impact the people of the New York State Canal Corporation have made on the economy, recreation and environment in communities across Upstate New York. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll for asking me to join the Canal Corporation team and build on the history, progress and potential of the canal system.”

Walsh succeeds outgoing Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton, who will retire at the end of December. Stratton was appointed to the position in April 2011 and guided the organization through several important milestones, culminating in the recent commemoration of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “Ben Walsh is a proven municipal chief executive and independent thinker to steer New York’s 200-year-old Canal system into its next century of service. Mayor Walsh will bring the proud legacy of public service and an accomplished record of leading a major upstate city on the Erie Canal to ensure New York’s iconic waterway will continue to fuel the growth and sustainability of more than 200 canal communities along its shores.”

Canal Commissioner Brian Stratton, left, is joined by JW Cook, Gov. Hochul’s Finger Lakes regional representative, in presenting a proclamation to Lynne Johnson on April 15, 2025 during the county’s bicentennial celebration. Stratton said the Erie Canal, which also celebrated its bicentennial this year, will continue to be an important resource for Orleans County for many years to come.

About NYPA   

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the New York State Canal Corporation

New York’s Canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga – Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals connect hundreds of unique communities through a network of waterways, trails, and parks that serve residents and visitors alike. The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority. Like Canals on Facebook at NYS Canal Corporation and follow Canals on Twitter at @NYSCanalCorp.

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is shown on Aug. 5 outside Brunner in Medina when he met with local officials to show his support for the Job Corps program. Job Corps has a site in Medina. The program was thrown into turmoil when the federal Department of Labor held up background checks on students and the DOL threatened to shut down 99 of the centers.

 U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer extended his streak of visiting all 62 counties in New York State to 27 years.

Schumer met his goal of seeing all 62 counties in 2025 after being in Columbia County earlier today to highlight legislation that he said would help dairy farmers across Upstate NY and boost nutrition in schools.

“Traveling to every corner of the Empire State, meeting with New Yorkers from every walk of life, it’s what energizes me,” Schumer said in news release. “Every year, I am reminded of why I do this tour. Every person I meet, every story stays with me and inspires my daily work in Washington.”

The senator was in Orleans County on Aug. 5 outside Brunner in Medina. He came to Orleans County to show his support for the Job Corps program.

“This year, more than ever before, visiting all 62 counties pushed me to fight even harder to help lower costs for families, protect healthcare, and deliver for New York,” Schumer said. “That is why you can always find me mixing and mingling in every crowd from Buffalo to Brooklyn to hear directly from people about what is important to them. There’s still so much work to be done – I can’t wait to get back on the road visiting all 62 counties again next year — listening to voters and delivering for New Yorkers.”

Schumer has kept going to all of New York’s counties despite the increased demands of being the Democratic leader in the U.S. Senate.

“God gave me a lot of energy, and there is nothing that motivates me more than fighting for the people of New York,” he said. “I may have gained a new fancy title of Senate Leader, but my two favorite titles have been and will always be: New York’s senator, and above all else, New Yorker. “

Schumer touted the following successes for Wester New York and the Rochester area:

WESTERN NEW YORK

• Led The Charge To Protect The FAA’s 1,500-Hour Flight Rule: Building on years of work with the families of victims of the tragic Flight 3407 plane crash in Western NY, Schumer worked relentlessly with the victims’ families in the wake of new threats to roll back the 1,500-hour rule. Schumer successfully pushed Secretary Duffy to meet with the families, stood against Trump’s nominees threatening to roll back basic air safety standards, and stood with families to ensure the 1,500-hour rule remains protected.
• Secured $25 Million For Olean’s West State Street Project: In January, Schumer secured a whopping $25 million in federal funding for the City of Olean’s Reconnecting Communities Project, one of the largest grants in the city’s history. The funding will better connect the main streets with major hubs like the St. Bonaventure University campus with safer, more modern roadways for the community.
• Delivered $67 Million Pension Fix for Niagara County Laborers’ Local No. 91: After years of advocacy to secure relief for ailing multiemployer pension plans for union workers, Schumer announced the Laborers’ Local No. 91 Pension Plan covering construction workers in Niagara County will receive an approximately $67 million pension fix from the Schumer-led American Rescue Plan.

ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES

• Secured $100 Million For Rochester Inner Loop Highway Removal: After Schumer personally called U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, advocating for federal funding, he announced a whopping $100 million for Rochester’s Inner Loop North Transformation Project to reconnect disadvantaged neighborhoods to Rochester’s downtown in January. The project will eliminate a major barrier in the heart of Rochester while re-investing in the Rochester communities harmed by the construction of the Inner Loop and creating more jobs.
• Ensured Ryan Corbett Returned Home Safely After Two Years of Taliban Detention: After years of working tirelessly with senior national security officials and a bipartisan Congressional coalition, Schumer’s persistent advocacy helped bring Ryan home to his family and Finger Lakes community after over two years of being wrongfully detained in Afghanistan by the Taliban.
• Secured Federal Cancer Center Designation For Wilmot Cancer Institute: After more than a decade of Schumer’s persistent advocacy, Wilmot was named a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center, unlocking access to increased federal funding, cutting-edge clinical trials, and top-tier cancer research opportunities.
• Pushed CSX To Restore The Gillett Road Bridge: The CSX-owned Gillett Road Bridge was forced to close indefinitely due to structural deficiencies. After a year of inaction from CSX, Schumer visited the site in Monroe County and directly called the CSX CEO about reopening the bridge, leading to the company agreeing to repair the bridge, restoring a critical link for the local community.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer was in Medina on Aug. 5 to show his support for the Iroquois Job Corps Center, one of 99 that was targeted for closure by the U.S. Department of Labor. A federal judge issued an injunction to keep the program going while the case is heard in court. Schumer said the Iroquois site in the past half century has provided critical job and life skills to at-risk students.

“We’re all here with one single message: We want to save the Iroquois Job Corps Center,” Schumer said. “We got to save it if we want our young people to have a future. We don’t want them to have a handout. We want them to have a future. They should know if they work hard and learn a skill they can get a good-paying job to support a family and be proud parents and proud spouses. That’s what this center has done for so long.”

Staff will be setting up for veterans holiday banquet on Tuesday evening

Press Release, Orleans County Veterans Services

ALBION – Orleans County Veterans Services will be closing their office in Albion at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday so staff can set up for the veterans holiday banquet that evening.  The office will resume regular office hours on Wednesday.

“The Veterans Holiday Banquet is a major event for our office and requires the efforts of our staff for setup so we need to close the office early,” said Nik Mroz, Director of Veterans Services.  “We apologize for any inconvenience.”

Advisory goes from 10 a.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday

Photo by Tom Rivers: These Christmas Gingerbread inflatables were part of the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade on Saturday in Albion.

The National Weather Services has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Orleans County from 10 a.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Another 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected. The advisory also includes Genesee, Niagara and northern Erie counties.

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” the Weather Service said. “The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes with snow covered roads.”

The weather will warm up later in the week. The highs in the forecast show 33 on Tuesday, 39 on Wednesday, 48 on Thursday, 32 on Friday and 40 on Saturday.