Plan for Hudson Valley power plant collides with state's new green law

NEWBURGH — When the state Department of Public Service in April held a virtual public hearing on plans to expand the Danskammer gas-fired power plant, opponents and supporters spoke for nine hours.

Now, with the 60-day public comment period on the plan opened in a second state agency, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the debate will flare up again.

Battles over proposed power plants are nothing new. But this is the first large scale gas-fired power plant to be considered by state authorities since the 2019 passage of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which calls for sharp reductions in the use of fossil fuels such as the natural gas that would power the Danskammer.

Observers believe if the proposal is denied on the basis of climate change, it could close the books on further gas power development in the state.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Public-comment-period-starts-reigniting-gas-16290500.php