NewYork GreenCloud has announced the acquisition of the Buena Vista Biomass Power facility in Ione, California, with plans to convert it into a “carbon-negative” AI data center powered by on-site biomass. This move marks a significant step toward achieving sustainability in AI infrastructure, as the company will integrate biomass-to-pyrolysis energy systems and high-density GPU infrastructure to reduce the carbon footprint of AI workloads.
The facility, which currently operates as an 18MW biomass power plant, will be redeveloped into a 41MW facility, supplying behind-the-meter electricity to the on-site AI data center. The data center will utilize liquid-cooled GPU systems to maximize efficiency and minimize energy consumption.
Biomass Pyrolysis: A Key Component in Carbon-Negative Computing
Biomass pyrolysis is a critical technology in the transformation of organic waste into clean energy. By heating organic materials under low-oxygen conditions at high temperatures, the process produces biochar and energy. The biochar formed during pyrolysis can permanently store carbon, providing a long-term solution for carbon sequestration. NewYork GreenCloud aims to harness this technology to generate power and reduce carbon emissions, creating a sustainable energy source for AI infrastructure.
Joe Church, CEO of NewYork GreenCloud, described the Buena Vista project as the beginning of a broader national platform of carbon-negative AI data centers. “This facility will allow us to deliver high-performance compute with a dramatically lower carbon footprint,” he said.
Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Energy
The redevelopment of the Buena Vista facility will be carried out in collaboration with BucSha Energy, a company that specializes in biomass-to-pyrolysis technology. BucSha Energy will help provide the systems needed to convert regionally sourced biomass—such as forestry and agricultural residues—into both clean energy and biochar. The project aims to offer a stable and scalable energy source to power modern AI infrastructure, further enhancing its sustainability.
“By focusing exclusively on regional biomass, we create a clean, stable, and scalable energy source that can power the modern AI infrastructure,” explained Dave Shaffer, founder of BucSha Energy.
Transforming an Idle Facility into a Sustainable Powerhouse
The Buena Vista Biomass Power facility has a long history. Originally a coal-fired plant, it was decommissioned in the mid-1990s before being repowered as a biomass facility in 2009. However, the site faced significant financial difficulties and remained idled for several years. NewYork GreenCloud’s acquisition and redevelopment plan breathe new life into the facility, turning it into a cornerstone of sustainable AI infrastructure.
NewYork GreenCloud’s Vision for Carbon-Negative AI Infrastructure
NewYork GreenCloud, headquartered in Plattsburgh, New York, specializes in developing “carbon-negative AI factories.” These facilities integrate renewable energy sources, advanced cooling systems, and high-density GPU infrastructure for enterprise AI applications. The Ione site will mark the company’s first major data center project, which will host enterprise AI training and inference operations.
In addition to the Buena Vista facility, NewYork GreenCloud has entered into a partnership with Atlas Cloud AI, which will host a cluster of 288 HGX B300 systems featuring 2,304 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs. This collaboration is part of a larger agreement valued at $250 million, with full-scale deployment slated for February 2026.
