Mohawk Council Opposes Massena New York Data Center Project

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne published a letter opposing the development of a large-scale data center at the former Alcoa East industrial site in Massena, New York. The council cited serious concerns regarding the potential impact of the project, specifically noting how the proposal mirrors long-standing environmental and health issues that have plagued the region for decades.

The site carries a heavy legacy of industrial contamination. Previous operators, including Alcoa and Reynolds Metals, were responsible for discharging chemicals into local waterways. In 2013, these companies paid nearly US$20 million to remediate the damage they caused, highlighting the fragility of the local ecosystem and the persistence of toxic pollutants in the area.

Residents in nearby Cornwall, Ontario, expressed support for the council's opposition. These community members linked the history of industrialization at the site to adverse community health patterns and the broader climate crisis. This opposition underscores the ongoing tension between industrial redevelopment and the health and sovereignty of Indigenous communities and neighboring residents who continue to live with the consequences of historical pollution.