Genesee County approves tax incentives but faces lawsuit over STAMP

Kevin Oklobzija//June 8, 2021//

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The Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) proposed for Genesee County, with buildings superimposed into the image. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation has filed suit, saying the project will cause environmental harm to "Big Woods," its territory on the western edge of STAMP (file image). — The Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) proposed for Genesee County, with buildings superimposed into the image. The Tonawanda Seneca Nation has filed suit, saying the project will cause environmental harm to “Big Woods,” its territory on the western edge of STAMP (file image).

Just one day after the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors approved incentives for a $345 million solar project in the town of Byron and construction of a Plug Power Inc. facility at the Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP), a lawsuit threatens to halt one of the projects.

The Tonawanda Seneca Nation, in papers filed in state Supreme Court in Genesee County on Friday, is asking for a new environmental impact study to be conducted regarding the tech and manufacturing park.

The Nation says development of the STAMP and the Plug Power project infringe on its territory and will do irreparable harm to wildlife and medicinal plants in a section of land called “Big Woods.”

Plug Power Inc. announced it would invest $55 million toward the construction of a campus-wide substation at STAMP. The substation will enable 100% renewable, reliable electricity at less than $0.035/kwh to future park tenants in partnership with the New York Power Authority and National Grid.

Plug Power will receive approximately $2.8 million in sales tax incentives related to the substation construction.

Plug Power also has plans to invest $232 million to build a green hydrogen manufacturing facility at STAMP, creating an estimated 68 full-time jobs when operational.

The GCEDC also approved approximately $32.7 million in property and sales tax incentives for Excelsior Energy Center’s $345.55 million utility scale solar farm project in Byron, which will be located on several agricultural properties.

The project will provide enhanced property tax payments via a 20-year PILOT and host benefit agreements. The project will contribute $6,500/MWAC in total PILOT/host benefit payments annually plus a 2 percent annual escalator over the 20-year term. Resulting property tax-type benefits of the project in the Town of Byron, Byron-Bergen Central Schools, and Genesee County are estimated at over $45.2 million.

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