Stop Danskammer Coalition says withdrawal of request a victory for public health

CITY OF NEWBURGH – Danskammer Energy LLC’s withdrawal of its application to build a new fracking gas power plant in the City of Newburgh was a victory for public health, says the Stop Danskammer Coalition.

With the help of this organization, 25 Hudson Valley municipalities passed resolutions against the proposed plant, as well as a unanimous bipartisan resolution passed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Another group, Sunrise Westchester, a youth climate movement, was also instrumental in efforts to stop the project before it got started.

“Thank God this fight is over and the people have won. The City of Newburgh and the Hudson Valley deserve a fossil-free future, which is the best outcome for our community,” said Mark Sanchez-Potter, a City of Newburgh resident, teacher and Stop member. Danskammer Coalition.

“This community could not survive another environmental burden,” said Tamsin Hollo of the Newburgh Clean Water Project. “It was vital for residents and future generations that this plant be shut down. »

“It’s heartening to see that fossil fuel companies like Danskammer are getting the ‘No more fossil fuels’ message from New Yorkers,” said Eric Wood, NYPIRG Hudson Valley regional coordinator. “It’s a precedent-setting victory that they withdrew their Title V application for their gas expansion project.”

He said it would be great to see the proposed expansion site “slowly transform into something more productive and healthier for the region, as the permit for the current peaking plant at Danskammer gradually expires in 2025 “.

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act commits to 100% zero-emission electricity generation by 2040, sets legally binding emissions reduction standards for New York State to completely eliminate fossil fuels by 2050 and requires 40% of public climate energy funding to be disproportionately invested. disadvantage communities.

“As we celebrate this victory in the Hudson Valley, wildfires in California and New Mexico are spiraling out of control. We can pause for a moment, but the fight to mitigate climate change and advocate for a livable climate for ourselves and all children is not over,” said Johanna Fallert of Mothers Out Front.