Danskammer Plant Proposal - PLEASE READ & BECOME AWARE

Friends, 

I have been working with various groups, Scenic Hudson, Mothers Out Front, Dutchess Progressive Action Alliance, 

Climate Reality and concerned local citizens about getting local municipalities to issue Resolutions to Governor Cuomo and  to publicize the growing opposition to this project. It is of vital significance to our health and general way of life in the Hudson Valley that this proposal to re-build this fracked gas-fired power plant, currently a “peaker plant” (operating only at peak demand times during the year), exits in the Town of Newburgh and juts out into the Hudson River. It was built in the 1950’s and then had to be repaired when seriously flooded by Super Storm Sandy in 2012. It is inefficient and a toxic polluter at present. 

Danskammer made a proposal made to the New York State Siting Board in Dec. 2019 to re-build the plant and have it operate at 70-100% of the time. This is a gross mistake and counter productive to The Climate and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) adopted in July 2019. 

Twenty-five local municipalities from various counties in the Hudson Valley have issued Resolutions coming out against this proposal. I am currently working with many advocates to encourage the Town of Fishkill to do the same. 

The Town of Wappingers must also be made more aware of this project and its negative impact to all life in this region. 

In Danskammer’s pro-material they site a need for additional power. This has been issued to be false by the findings of the NYISO (New York Independent System Operator) in their 2018 assessment. Danskammer only reports a previous 2016 report saying there is a need. There is none. The added jobs, for construction, are short-lived and overall permanent jobs only total about thirty. Here is an article just out today  from USA TODAY NETWORK summarizing the issue:  https://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/2020/10/14/danskammer-ny-leaving-dirty-energy-behind/3640022001/

Please take the time to visit www.StopthePlant.org to see supporting materials on how harmful an additional 70% operating fracked gas-fired power plant would be. Health analysis and  toxic pollutants that would be emitted in gross amounts is layed out plainly there. Asmatha rates would increase dramatically along with suseptbility to exposure to Covid-19. Symptoms such as headaches, rashes, fatigue, and the list goes on and on, would surface due to the environmental impact of additional toxins to the environment. 

If you don’t know about this project proposal I urge you to at least see www.StopthePlant.org so you can be aware and educated and hopefully motivated to join the movement to defeat this proposal. The NYS Siting Board, appointed by Governor Cuomo, has the final ruling on acceptance or denial. You can see their mission, list of current proposals being considered (7 out of 8 are solar and/or wind power projects!) and Danskammer stands out as the only fracked gas-fired proposal they are considering. The process is long (about 2 years) and currently the Siting Board has not given the nod to Danskammer that the proposal is complete. Danskammer must provide more supporting data but once that is done, then the Board begins their review process. That could take another year. 

However, public reaction and input to the Board and the growing sentiment of the population that would be effected by this re-build can only make the Board aware of the lack of need and public opposition to this project. 

We don’t need another fracked gas-fired power plant that would only create more fracking and leakage harm to those who live need fracking and commission sites mainly in Pennsylvania. And the toxins emitted by an operating gas-fired plant, no matter what Danskammer says about using a “clean energy” source, perhaps hydrogen in the future, is counter to all renewable goals of NY State and going in the wrong direction for our and the planet’s future. 

Please see STOPTHEPLANT.org and become aware and involved. 

Thanks for your attention and activitism. 

N. Sorvino