Facebook

Residents should speak out about negative impacts of STAMP site

Posted 10 September 2025 at 8:08 am

Editor:

Many local residents oppose the other utility-scale solar farms that are popping up all over the area. They are opposed because the projects will change the local area’s rural character and remove farmland from production. These concerns have also been raised in recent statements by elected officials such as Steve Hawley and George Borello.

I share these concerns about the massive land use change currently occurring in our county. In addition to the solar developments, I am also worried about the STAMP mega-industrial site, currently under construction by the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC). GCEDC subsidizes both tenants at STAMP and also many of the local solar developments.

If you are concerned about solar, you should be concerned about STAMP. Here’s why:

  • STAMP will destroy 1263 acres, mostly farmland
  • A proposed 600 MW electrical substation would raise rates for all of us, including farmers who are already overburdened by costs
  • The site includes a 500,000-gallon water tank for fire suppression and water inflow infrastructure that diverts our limited local water supply away from agriculture for corporate use
  • PILOT payments are negatively affecting our local schools

Like the solar developments, STAMP threatens our local way of life. It will also make our electricity bills go up, will cause more brownouts and blackouts, will steal water from farms that are already affected by drought, and will direct taxpayer monies to big corporations – with no benefit for local residents.

I am part of a group of concerned local residents who are hosting a Town Hall on STAMP. GCEDC doesn’t want to answer your questions about STAMP, but we will.

Come to our Town Hall on Sept. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oakfield Fire Dept and learn more.

Come to learn, ask questions, and connect with other concerned neighbors. STAMP is far from a done deal. We can still protect our local way of life from the worst of possible future developments.

Sincerely,

Adrienne Yocina

Pembroke