Data center acting like it’s a done deal when the project hasn’t been approved
Editor:
“We’re proud of the positive impact our projects have on our communities.”
This statement comes from the website of STREAM US Data Centers, which is trying to build a massive data center complex at STAMP in the Town of Alabama. But on a recent weekend, local residents experienced the opposite from STREAM – even though the project has not been approved and STREAM does not yet own any land at STAMP.
At 9 a.m. on April 18, the peace and quiet of our local area was abruptly disrupted by the start of intensely loud industrial noise. The noise lasted all day and began again the next day.
Here are some testimonials from residents:
- “It was so incredibly loud. I drove over there because the pounding was driving me crazy and was so loud.”
- “[It was] a booming noise. It was awful.”
- “I had to listen to that anxiety-producing pounding all weekend long… My nerves were shot.”
- “We have listened to that for 2 solid days… constant banging & pounding noise.”
- “We had windows open & ended up closing them because of the dust. The dust moved over us like a cloud. We saw it coming.”
- “There was so much noise from this you could hear it over on Casey Road at the Iroquois Headquarters.”
In fact, residents reported hearing the noise up to 7 miles away from the source. And what was the source? STREAM starting to demolish the Plug Power hydrogen spheres.
Residents received no prior notification that this was going to happen – from STREAM, from Plug, from the Town, or from GCEDC. We do not know if it is legal, if the Town permitted it, what safety measures are being taken. We do not know if the dust is toxic or how long the noise will go on.
We want the hydrogen spheres removed. They are an eyesore and a constant reminder of STAMP’s failures and broken promises. But we want this done in the right way. We want it done safely and with prior notification to residents, including the chance to ask questions.
We see what STREAM is trying to do. They have cut a deal with Plug to take down the spheres so they can make it look like this project is a done deal.
Well, it’s not. And their actions are only making us more committed to stopping them.
STREAM: You have already violated our trust and caused us harm. Before your project has even been approved, you have had only a negative impact on our community. Go away. You are not welcome here.
Local residents: call and email the Town of Alabama to express your concerns about the demolition. Then stay tuned for the rescheduled Town of Alabama Planning Board Site Plan Application Hearing. See STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook for more info.
Signed,
Ariel Cieszki, Alabama
Cheryl Cordes, Alabama
Mark Cordes, Alabama
Lee Ann Mullen, Alabama
Sharon Larmon, Alabama
Gaye Drock, Alabama
Amanda Johnson, Alabama
Jim Joyner, Alabama
Amy Joyner, Alabama
Hillery Dennies, Alabama
Victoria Guite, Alabama
Judith Schilling, Alabama
