New York denies permits to build gas-fired power plants

• 3 years ago (2021-10-28)
• David Flin

Gas 393 North America 1021

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Basil Seggos, Commissioner of New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, has announced that applications have been turned down for required air permits for two new natural gas-fired power plants. He said that both would be inconsistent with state-wide greenhouse gas emission goals.

This affects NRG Energy ’s Astoria Replacement Project in Queens and the Danskammer Energy Centre in Newburgh.

NRG had proposed replacing an oil-fired power plant with a cleaner natural gas-fired plant. NRG said that it was reviewing the state’s decision, and that the project would have provided immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Tom Atkins, Vice President of Development with NRG Energy, said: “New Yorkers deserve both cleaner air and reliable energy to ensure the lights stay on for our small businesses, homes, schools, and hospitals when they need it most. That’s what this project would have delivered.” He added that the current Astoria plant would continue to operate.

Danskammer Energy was seeking to build and operate a new natural gas-fired power generation facility at an existing power site about 50 miles north of New York City. Danskammer Energy has yet to comment publicly on the decision.