Scenic Hudson Statement on DEC’s Denial of Air Quality Permit for Planned Danskammer Fracked-Gas Power Plant
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Hayley Carlock, Director of Environmental Advocacy and Legal Affairs:
845 891 3148; hcarlock@scenichudson.org
HUDSON VALLEY—Scenic Hudson released the following statement about the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s denial today of a required air permit for the proposed Danskammer fracked-gas power plant in the Town of Newburgh, Orange County. After a comprehensive review, the DEC determined that greenhouse gas emissions from the plant would impede efforts to achieve mandatory goals established by New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The DEC also noted that Danskammer failed to demonstrate the need or justification for the proposed project despite its failure to comply with the act.
Without the DEC air permit, the project cannot move forward.
Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said, “The denial of an air permit for the proposed Danskammer fossil fuel plant shows loud and clear that Gov. Kathy Hochul and DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos are champions in efforts to confront the climate crisis and environmental injustice — the cornerstones of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Scenic Hudson is grateful to both, and while we hope this step will end plans to construct such a needless and harmful facility, we will continue doing all we can to ensure it never gets built.”
Scenic Hudson Director of Environmental Advocacy and Legal Affairs Hayley Carlock said, “The Danskammer project would have emitted millions of tons of climate-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and harmed environmental justice communities in and around Newburgh. With the days of new fossil fuel plants behind us, now is the time for New Yorkers to focus on clean energy solutions that can bring benefits to all without polluting our communities and worsening climate change. Many thanks to the thousands of people who submitted comments to the DEC asking it to steer the state in this climate-friendly direction.”
DEC’s decision can be viewed here.
