To the Editor:

This is for all the people in the surrounding communities of Massena, NY.  Massena has 10 proposed data centers and attempted to get a three-year moratorium from the town board and didn’t succeed. As Canton has passed a one-year moratorium and Potsdam has one in the works. It means very little as you have no active proposals in your communities. The one-year Executive Order signed by Governor Hochul does not stop the NCCS proposed site in Massena.  

It is very likely that the NCCS site will be approved and will consume 70% of the Hydro Power produced at the Robert Moses Dam unless you speak up. This will limit the attraction for other companies to come to the area. The NCCS Data Center will provide numerous jobs for the first two years during construction. When the Data Center begins full operation, they are known to hire 50 people. As AI progresses, they will possibly provide fewer jobs as AI are known to develop software to eliminate jobs and have self-sustaining operations.

Those with significant concerns and voicing opinions have been the members of the Akwesasne Community. They have formed an organization known as M.U.S.H. and support the Massena Grass Root organization actively requesting a three-year moratorium. Together we need a comprehensive review of the environmental, economic and infrastructure impacts of data center operations. We need to protect all surrounding resources, including water, energy capacity and quality of life for all surrounding residences.  

This will affect all the area environmentally and will raise your energy costs significantly.  The construction can cause significant problems as previously greenfield sights are disturbed.

You need to join us on October 3 from 11 until 1 at a rally located at the corners of S. Main St. and 37.  This is in front of Kinney Drugs. Bring signs, people and join in solidarity with our communities together.   

David Fenton
Massena