Scenic Hudson Statement on State Siting Board Determination that Danskammer Application is Complete

For Immediate Release

Contact: 

Hayley Carlock, Director of Environmental Advocacy and Legal Affairs:
845 891 3148; hcarlock@scenichudson.org

State faces major test on bold commitment to renewable energy future

HUDSON VALLEY – Scenic Hudson today released the following statement regarding the determination by the chair of the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment that Danskammer Energy’s application to construct and operate a new gas-fired power plant in Newburgh is complete. This marks the commencement of the state’s permitting process, which can take 12 months or more to reach a decision.

While the chair has determined that the permitting process may move forward, he has directed the Administrative Law Judges assigned to the case to rule on outstanding motions filed by Scenic Hudson and partners Riverkeeper, Sierra Club, Orange RAPP, and Clearwater. These motions requested that Danskammer’s speculative future conversion to unproven hydrogen technology be eliminated as a potential basis for Danskammer to demonstrate that its fossil fuel project is consistent with the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). While Scenic Hudson has hopes that hydrogen technology will, in the future, become viable for applications in New York’s energy mix, Danskammer’s failure to provide any commitment to implement such technology and to demonstrate it will be viable requires rejection of its application for permits for the gas-fired facility by the Siting Board.  

Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan said, “Governor Cuomo has made New York a leader in confronting the climate crisis, and the Biden administration has demonstrated early action to step up our country’s response. Permitting a plant that will increase greenhouse gas emissions would be a major step backward, flying in the face of New York’s commitment to a clean energy future and the very provisions of state law the governor has championed. That’s why Scenic Hudson will continue doing all we can — as long as it takes — to stop Danskammer. We commend the Siting Board chair for not accepting Danskammer’s claims of compliance with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act at face value and directing the Administrative Law Judges to rule on our motions.”

Director of Environmental Advocacy and Legal Affairs Hayley Carlock said, “There are better, smarter alternatives for the site that would help combat climate change and lead to cleaner air for the community, like the battery storage concept that Scenic Hudson has worked with experts to design. As we’ve argued in our motions, it is clear that speculative future hydrogen conversion at Danskammer is nothing more than a greenwash intended to masquerade a new fossil gas plant as clean generation compliant with the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. It’s clear that Danskammer’s proposed gas plant is inconsistent with the state’s climate goals and we look forward to proving this through the permitting process.”