The science is clear - we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground! Despite this formidable reality, New York is considering proposals for dozens of new fossil fuel infrastructure projects. Locally, the Danskammer fracked gas power plant lies on the Hudson River in Newburgh. Danskammer LLC is proposing an expansion from a part-time "peaker" plant to a fully operational plant. While upgrades may make it more efficient, annual pollution will increase due to extended operation.
Considering the passage of the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), this proposal must be denied. The CLCPA has goals of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040. The emissions from this plant will directly contradict this law and exacerbate the global climate crisis by locking us into reliance on fossil fuels for decades to come.
Rates of residents hospitalized with asthma are higher in Newburgh than anywhere else in the state outside of New York City. Newburgh sees an average annual hospitalization rate for asthma of 408 per 100,000 population - nearing NYC's rate of 441 per 100,000 (the highest in the state). We can expect these rates to rise dramatically with a transition to full-time operation of Danskammer. NYPIRG and other community groups are currently pressuring our elected officials to invest in a renewable energy economy and to deny new fossil fuel infrastructure proposals like Danskammer.