DEC denies permits for Danskammer and Astoria fracked gas plants – Riverkeeper statement

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced its denial of permits for two proposed fracked gas power plants – Danskammer Energy Center and Astoria Gas Turbine Power – on the basis that those facilities would be inconsistent with the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019. The DEC determined the proposed projects would be inconsistent with or would interfere with the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits established in the Climate Act, and that neither facility had demonstrated a sufficient need or justification for their proposed projects. Riverkeeper had advocated for this decision, based on these arguments. Without these permits, neither facility can move forward.

The public spoke out forcefully against both projects. The agency reviewed more than 4,500 public comments received on the Danskammer project, and 6,600 public comments on the Astoria project, before reaching its decisions.

“Riverkeeper applauds today’s decision by Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation for upholding the requirements of New York State’s Climate Act,” said Riverkeeper Staff Attorney Chris Bellovary. “We all know the risks of climate change, on a local, national, and global level. In the Climate Act, New York made a clear decision to decarbonize its economy, and the Department’s determination earlier today upholds that decision.”

The full decisions, on the Danskammer project (PDF) and the Astoria project (PDF), are outlined in letters by Daniel Whitehead, Director of the Division of Environmental Permits, DEC.

Earlier: Stop fueling climate change – Help stop the Danskammer gas power plant