The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Stop a dangerous fracked gas power plant on the Hudson River
--Sponsored by Food & Water Watch, New York Public Interest Research Group, Nobody Leaves Mid Hudson, Scenic Hudson, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Green Beacon Coalition, New York Communities for Change,
350.org, Riverkeeper, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Sane Energy Project, Mothers Out Front, Northeast Organic Farming Association--New York, New Yorkers For Clean Power, Citizens for Local Power, Newburgh Clean Water Project, Friends of the Earth, Orange Residents Against the Pilgrim Pipelines and the Hudson Valley Young Farmer's Coalition.
To sign the letter, follow this link:
https://forms.gle/ckCxnUrV4hiMtNaN9Please direct any questions to Santosh Nandabalan at Food & Water Watch (
snanadablan@fwwatch.org).
Dear Governor Cuomo,
We, the undersigned elected officials, urge you to deny Danskammer, LLC the permits for building a new, baseload year-round fracked natural gas and diesel-burning power plant in Newburgh, New York. The communities we represent have great concerns about the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure including natural gas pipelines and power plants across the Hudson Valley and throughout New York.
The Danskammer power plant threatens nearby communities and risks locking New York State into decades of fossil fuel dependence and emissions. As an alternative, for the health and economic future of our communities, and to avoid the worst impacts from climate change, we ask that your administration not permit the proposed plant and lead the way in meeting aggressive renewable energy goals.
We strongly urge you to oppose this power plant for the following reasons:
1) The project contradicts the values of your Green New Deal policies. Pollution from greenhouse gases, including carbon and methane, emitted from Danskammer would further exacerbate the climate crisis. The existing Danskammer plant, while aging and inefficient, serves to meet peak energy demand and runs only a few days a year. In contrast, the proposed plant would be a baseload facility, running nearly all the time. The math here is simple: despite efficiency gains, total emissions will increase dramatically—tenfold or more.
2) In addition to climate change impacts, the proposed plant threatens our air and water quality. The Hudson Valley has already seen the approval of Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) and Cricket Valley. Adding the emissions from the proposed Danskammer facility would drastically worsen the air quality in the Hudson Valley and increase the public health risks for asthma and other diseases for surrounding residents. In addition, up to 1 million gallons of diesel fuel and 30,000 gallons of aqueous ammonia proposed to be stored on-site presents a significant threat, if the plant is sited and a spill were to occur.
3) The existing plant was severely flooded during Hurricane Sandy, resulting in the plant’s closure for 2 years before it went back online in 2014. The plant site remains extremely vulnerable to severe storm events, such as superstorms Sandy, Irene, and Lee, as well as sea-level rise that is already affecting Hudson waterfront communities. Anticipated sea level rise on the Hudson River, more frequent severe precipitation events and more severe storm surge collectively make the Danskammer site a risky location for energy development.
4) Redevelopment of the Danskammer plant would erode the natural and aesthetic beauty of the Hudson River Valley, which is a major driver of the region’s $5.3 billion tourism economy and cherished by visitors from around the globe, as well as state residents who see the Hudson Valley as an exemplary place to live, work and play. Of critical importance to New York’s long-term economic future, prominent locations such as this on the Hudson River waterfront and at the gateway to the Hudson Highlands should not be a location for large-scale industrial development.
5) Redevelopment of the Danskammer plant would disproportionately affect nearby Environmental Justice Areas and impact vulnerable communities. In particular, low-income neighborhoods and people of color in Beacon, Newburgh, Fishkill, and other surrounding communities will feel the brunt of air pollution due to their proximity to the plant.
6) More and better jobs can be produced in the renewable energy sector. Construction of a solar farm or energy storage facility would bring jobs and tax revenue to Newburgh without polluting our air and water and exacerbating climate change. For communities that have displaced workers from the fossil-fuel industry, we urge a fair and just transition plan that provides training and placement for workers in other industries, including the rapidly growing renewable energy economy.
In conclusion, after careful consideration, we understand that New York State does not need to repower the Danskammer energy plant site to meet its energy needs. We urge your administration to deny permits to the plant while continuing its good work leading in the fight against climate change. We are encouraged by the $250 million Green Energy Grant that was awarded to Westchester County in 2019 and believe this initiative to be a step in the right direction that will have positive reverberations throughout our region. We are also inspired by your work to set specific goals to address climate change in New York and are committed to continuing our own work to create practical and lasting climate solutions in our communities.
We applaud your announcement of a Green New Deal for New York. But in order to meet the ambitious targets you have set, you cannot allow the expansion of any new fossil fuel electricity generating infrastructure. We are calling on you to follow through with your promise to make New York a leader in combatting climate change and use your authority to stop this polluting power plant.
Now more than ever before, New Yorkers need your leadership.
Sincerely,
Peter Harckham, New York State Senator, 40th Senatorial District
Liz Krueger, New York State Senator, 28th Senatorial District
Julia Salazar, New York State Senator, 18th Senatorial District
James Sanders Jr., New York State Senator, 10th Senatorial District
Rachel May, New York State Senator, 53rd Senatorial District
Brad Hoylman, New York State Senator, 27th Senatorial District
Jen Metzger, New York State Senator, 42nd Senatorial District
Didi Barrett, New York State Assembly Member, 106th Assembly District
Jeffrey Dinowitz, New York State Assembly Member, 81st Assembly District
Linda Rosenthal, New York State Assembly Member, 67th Assembly District
Felix Ortiz, Assistant Speaker of the New York State Assembly, 51st Assembly District
David Buchwald, New York State Assembly Member, 93rd Assembly District
Thomas Abinanti, New York State Assembly Member, 92nd Assembly District
Walter Mosley, New York State Assembly Member, 57th Assembly District
Richard Gottfried, New York State Assembly Member, 75th Assembly District
Barbara Lifton, New York State Assembly Member, 125th Assembly District
Kevindaryan Lujan, Orange County Legislator, District No. 4, Town of Newburgh, City of Newburgh
Nick Page, Dutchess County Legislator, District No. 18, City of Beacon, Town of Fishkill
Frits Zernike, Dutchess County Legislator, District No. 16, City of Beacon, Town of Fishkill
Giancarlo Llaverias, Dutchess County Legislator, District No. 1, Town of Poughkeepsie
Rebecca Edwards, Dutchess County Legislator, District No. 6, Town of Poughkeepsie
Barbara Jeter-Jackson, Dutchess County Legislator, District No. 10, City of Poughkeepsie
Brennan Kearney, Dutchess County Legislator, District No. 11, City of Rhinebeck and Town of Clinton
Francena Amparo, Dutchess County Legislator, District No. 14, Town of Wappinger
Manna Jo Greene, Ulster County Legislator, District No. 19, Town of Marbletown, Town of Rosendale
Mary Wawro, Ulster County Legislator, District No. 1, Town of Saugerties
David Donaldson, Ulster County Legislator, District No. 6, City of Kingston
James Delaune, Ulster County Legislator, District No. 17, Town of Esopus, Town of New Paltz
Laura Petit, Ulster County Legislator, District No. 8, Town of Esopus
Tracey Bartels, Chair, Ulster County Legislature, District No. 16, Town of Gardiner, Town of Shawangunk
Jonathan Heppner, Ulster County Legislator & Majority Leader, District No. 23, Town of Hurley, Town of Woodstock
Lynn Eckert, Ulster County Legislator & Majority Whip, District No. 5, City of Kingston
MaryJane Shimsky, Westchester County Legislator & Majority Leader, District No. 12, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington
Catherine Parker, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 7, Mamaroneck, Rye, Larchmont, New Rochelle and Harrison
Nancy Barr, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 6, Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook
Benjamin Boykin, Chairman and Westchester County Legislator, District No. 5, White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison
Alfreda Williams, Vice Chair and Westchester County Legislator, District No. 8,
Colin Smith, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 1, Cortlandi, Peekskill, Yorktown
Margaret Cunzio, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 3, Mount Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville
Christopher Johnson, Majority Whip and Westchester County Legislator, District No. 16, Yonkers
Kitley Covill, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 2, Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers
Vedat Gashi, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 4, New Castle, Somers, Yorktown
Damon Maher, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 10, Eastchester, New Rochelle, Tuckahoe
Catherine Borgia, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 9, Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Ossining, Peekskill
Terry Clemens, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 11, New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor
Lyndon Williams, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 13, Mount Vernon
David Tubiolo, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 14, Yonkers, Mount Vernon
Ruth Walter, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 15, Bronxville, Yonkers
Jose Alvardo, Westchester County Legislator, District No. 17, Yonkers
Anna Kelles, Tompkins County Legislator, District No. 2, City of Ithaca
William Reinhardt, Albany County Legislator, District No. 33
Keith Batman, Cayuga County Legislator, District No. 7
Vanessa Agudelo, City of Peekskill Council member
Sarah Salem, City of Poughkeepsie Council Member, Ward 2
Sarah Brannen, City of Poughkeepsie Council Member, Ward 4
Matt Woolever, Town of Poughkeepsie Council Member
Karen Mejia, City of Newburgh Council Member, Ward 1
Ramona Monteverde, City of Newburgh Council Member, Ward 2
Anthony Grice, City of Newburgh Council Member At-large
Amber Grant, City of Beacon Council member, At-large
Terry Nelson, City of Beacon Council member, Ward 1
Air Rhodes, City of Beacon Council member, Ward 2
Jodi McCredo, City of Beacon Council member, Ward 3
Dan Aymar-Blair, City of Beacon Council member, Ward 4
Steve Noble, City of Kingston Mayor
Jeffrey Ventura Morrell, City of Kingston Alderman, Ward 1
Tim Rogers, Village of New Paltz Mayor
Kathleen Tobin, Village of New Paltz Deputy Mayor
Don Kerr, Village of New Paltz Trustee
Dennis Young, Village of New Paltz Trustee
William Murray, Village of New Paltz Trustee
Daniel Torres, Town of New Paltz Council member
David Brownstein, Town of New Paltz Council member
Neil Bettez, Town of New Paltz Supervisor
Marybeth Majestic, Town of Gardiner Supervisor
Laura Faye Walls, Town of Gardiner Council member
Mike Reynolds, Town of Gardiner Council member
Waren Weigand, Town of Gardiner Council member
David Dukler, Town of Gardiner Council member
Jeanne Walsh, Town of Rosendale Supervisor
Matthew Igoe, Town of Rosendale Council member
John Hughes, Town of Rosendale Council member
Ernest Klepeis, Town of Rosendale Council member
Chris Pryslopski, Town of Rosendale Council member
Michael MacIsaac, Town of Saugerties Council member
John Schoonmaker, Town of Saugerties Council member
Chris Farrell, Town of Esopus Council member
Claire Winslow, Town of Lloyd Council member
Michael Guerriero, Town of Lloyd Council member
Orlando Perez, Town of Chester Council member
Faye Storms, Town of Shandaken Council member
Brendan Coyne, Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson Mayor
Virginia Scott, Town of Cornwall Council member
Steve Voloto, Village of Cold Spring Trustee
Judy Farrell, Town of Philipstown Council member
Robert Flaherty, Town of Philipstown Council member
Michael Leonard, Town of Philipstown Council member
Dove Pedlosky, Village of Nelsonville Trustee
Khalid Bey, City of Syracuse Councilor-at-Large
Quantel Bazemore, Village of Ossining Trustee
Alan Cohen, City of Oneida Council member
Elizabeth Spinzia, Town of Rhinebeck Supervisor
Allan Scherr, Town of Rhinebeck Deputy Supervisor
Edward Roberts, Town of Rhinebeck Council member
Brennan Kearney, Town of Rhinebeck Council member
Chauncey Walker, Town of Rhinebeck Council member
Gary Bassett, Village of Rhinebeck Mayor
Richard Lewitt, Village of Rhinebeck Deputy Mayor
Brant Neuneker, Village of Rhinebeck Trustee
John Rossi, Village of Rhinebeck Trustee
Paul Korczak, Village of Rhinebeck Trustee
Robert McKeon, Town of Red Hook Supervisor
Harry Colgan, Town of Red Hook Deputy Supervisor
William O'Neill, Town of Red Hook Council member
Christine Kane, Town of Red Hook Council member
Sarah Imboden, Town of Red Hook Council member
Ed Blundell, Village of Red Hook Mayor
Brent Kovalchik, Village of Red Hook Trustee
Jay Trapp, Village of Red Hook Trustee
Jennifer Norris, Village of Red Hook Trustee
Charles Laing, Village of Red Hook Trustee
Debra Middlebrook, Town of Millerton Mayor
Stephen Waite, Town of Millerton Deputy Mayor
David Sherman, Town of Millerton Trustee
Jennifer Najdek, Town of Millerton Trustee
Christine Bates, Town of Millerton Trustee
Maureen Cunningham, Town of Bethlehem Board member
Niki Armacost, Village of Hastings on Hudson Mayor
Mary Lambert, Village of Hastings on Hudson Trustee
Marc Leaf, Village of Hastings on Hudson Trustee
Morgen Fleisig, Village of Hastings on Hudson Trustee
Georgia Lopez, Village of Hastings on Hudson Trustee
Antonio Reynoso, New York City Council member
Ben Kallos, New York City Council member
Carlina Rivera, New York City Council member
Brad Lander, New York City Council member
Helen Rosenthal, New York City Council member
Carlos Menchaca, New York City Council member
Michael Chameides, Columbia County Supervisor, Ward No. 3, City of Hudson
Rebecca Wolff, City of Hudson Alderman, Ward No. 1
