Press release/Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation
A coalition of New York State Senators, Assembly Members, and leading environmental, climate justice, and civil rights organizations today issued a joint letter commending the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for its rigorous oversight of the proposed STREAM U.S. Data Centers “BUFA Double Reed” project at the WNY STAMP mega industrial site in Genesee County, while simultaneously urging the agency to withhold any permits or approvals until critical environmental and cultural review requirements are fully met.
Link to joint letter: NYS Elected & Organization Sign-on letter to NYSDEC on STAMP Data Center (6/13/26).pdf – Google Drive
The sign-on letter, backed by elected officials and a broad cross-section of organizations across New York, highlights DEC’s recent actions as a “meaningful turning point” in ensuring accountability for large-scale industrial development, particularly in relation to the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and surrounding environmental justice communities.
“DEC has demonstrated appropriate and warranted rigor in its review of this project,” the signatories wrote. “We urge the agency to continue this precedent by refraining from issuing permits to STREAM unless and until a complete site plan application is provided and all environmental and cultural impacts are fully assessed.”
A Turning Point for Environmental Review
The coalition points to several key actions by DEC as evidence of strengthened environmental
oversight:
● Directing, for the first time, a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for
the entire STAMP site and for hyperscale data centers specifically—responding to a
decade-long demand from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.
● Requiring that environmental review includes analysis of noise impacts, construction and
operational effects, and cumulative impacts.
● Affirming that environmental review cannot be completed without assessing cultural and
environmental justice impacts on the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.
The letter also underscores DEC’s application of the Environmental Justice Siting Law (EJSL),
the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and Commissioner’s Policy on
Environmental Justice (CP-29) to the proposed project.
Concerns Over Incomplete Applications and Environmental Risks
Despite this progress, the coalition raises serious concerns about the project’s readiness and
transparency. Signatories emphasize that STREAM has yet to produce a complete site plan and
has not fulfilled key study commitments, including a promised noise analysis.
The letter also cites newly disclosed concerns regarding geotechnical engineering and
stormwater management requirements, reinforcing the urgency of withholding permits.
The coalition specifically calls on DEC to deny or delay approvals related to:
● Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
● Wastewater infrastructure design and sewer extensions
● Air permits or alternative backup power systems
● Permits related to impacts on threatened or endangered species, including Bald Eagles
Wetlands and Indigenous Sovereignty
Signatories also praise DEC’s enforcement of the Freshwater Wetlands Act, including its
directive requiring updated wetlands delineation at the STAMP site. They urge swift completion
of this process and call on DEC to conduct a formal Part 182 Jurisdictional Determination, as
requested by the Tonawanda Seneca Nation.
“DEC’s actions reflect long-overdue recognition of the Nation’s concerns and the legal
protections afforded under New York State law,” the letter states.
A Statewide Call for Accountability
The coalition frames this moment as a precedent-setting test for how New York will regulate
energy-intensive hyperscale data centers, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
“We hope that climate and environmental justice groups across the state can trust this
precedent to continue,” the signatories wrote, emphasizing the importance of consistent
enforcement of environmental laws and protections.
Signatories
New York State Senate:
Liz Krueger (28th S.D.), Samra Brouk (55th S.D.), Cordell Cleare (30th S.D.), Leroy Comrie
(14th S.D.), Patricia Fahy (46th S.D.), Nathalia Fernandez (34th S.D.), Kristen Gonzalez (59th
S.D.), Andrew Gounardes (26th S.D.), Michelle Hinchey (41st S.D.), Brian Kavanagh (27th
S.D.), Rachel May (48th S.D.), Gustavo Rivera (33rd S.D.), Julia Salazar (18th S.D.), James
Sanders, Jr. (10th S.D.), Luis R. Sepúlveda (32nd S.D.), José M. Serrano (29th S.D.), Lea
Webb (52nd S.D.)
New York State Assembly:
Dr. Anna Kelles (125th A.D.), Phara Souffrant Forrest (57th A.D.), Emily Gallagher (50th A.D.),
Deborah J. Glick (66th A.D.), Judy Griffin (21st A.D.), Rebecca Kassay (4th A.D.), Karen
McMahon (146th A.D.), Steven Raga (30th A.D.), Linda B. Rosenthal (67th A.D.), Tommy John
Schiavoni (1st A.D.), MaryJane Shimsky (92nd A.D.), Sarahana Shrestha (103rd A.D.), Jo Anne
Simon (52nd A.D.)
Organizations:
● Ian Piercy, Chairman, WNY Delta Waterfowl
● Andy Mager, Coordinator, Syracuse Cultural Workers
● Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, Esq., Director, Racial Justice Center, New York Civil Liberties
Union
● John Keevert, co-chair, Environmental Justice Ministry of First Unitarian Church of
Rochester
● Stephan Edel, Executive Director, NY Renews
● Lee Cridland, Organizer, Syracuse Peace Council
● Anne Petermann, Executive Director, Global Justice Ecology Project
● Ruth Marchetti, Chair, Rochester Area Interfaith Climate Action
● Kim Fraczek, Director, Sane Energy Project
● Jack Coad, President, Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs
● Anna Castonguay, Co-Chair, Western New York Environmental Alliance
● Maryanne Adams, Conservation Chair, Onondaga Audubon
● Logan W. Cole, Secretary, Genesee County DSA
● Chris Murawski, Executive Director, Clean Air Coalition of WNY
● Sister Dolores O’Dowd, Coordinator, Green Orleans
● Dick Kornbluth, Coordinating Committee, CNY Solidarity Coalition
● Erin McGrath, NYS Policy Director, National Audubon Society
● Caroline Chen Director, Environmental Justice, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
● Adam Flint, Director of Clean Energy Programs, Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow
● Anthony Torres, Communications Director, Get Free
● Xaver Kandler, Political Director, For The Many
● Laurel Tumarkin, Policy Director, Climate Families NYC
● Sara Gronim, Co-leader, 350Brooklyn
● Brian Eden, Policy Coordinator, Campaign for Renewable Energy
● Taylor Jaffe, Program Manager, Catskill Mountainkeeper
● Graham Hughes, Director of Policy & Advocacy, Climate Solutions Accelerator of the
Genesee-Finger Lakes Region
● Holly Rockwell Director, Office of Justice, Peace & Care for Creation Sisters of St.
Joseph of Rochester
● Alan Cole, Climate Liaison, Third Act Upstate New York
● Heidi Beutler, Volunteer, Color Rochester Green
● Aaron DeRuyter, President, Seth Green Chapter of Trout Unlimited
● Avalon Akashi, Hub Coordinator, Sunrise Movement NYC
● Stephanie Mejia, Executive Director, WNY Peace Center
● Monique Fitzgerald, Climate Justice & Campaign’s Director, Long Island Progressive
Coalition
● Ethan Gormley, Legislative Coordinator, Citizen Action of New York
● Clarke Gocker, Senior Director of Movement Building, PUSH Buffalo
● Karen Berger and Lucas Barber, Co-Presidents, Color Brighton Green
● Alison Wade, Co-treasurer and Indigenous Solidarity Coordinator, Showing Up for Racial
Justice (SURJ) NYC
● Kate Bartholomew, Chair Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
● Carol Hinkelman, Policy Committee co-chair, Federation of Monroe County
Environmentalists
● Carlton Huff, Organizer, Metro Justice