Photo Courtesy of Philip Kamrass/Office of the Governor
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos
By Michael V. Cusenza
The State Department of Environmental Conservation recently denied a Clean Air Act Title V air permit to Astoria Gas Turbine Power, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, which proposed to construct the Astoria Replacement Project, consisting of a new simple cycle dual fuel fossil fuel-fired peaking combustion turbine generator with a nominal generator output of approximately 437 megawatts.
The DEC noted that, in making its decision, it reviewed information submitted by Astoria Gas Turbine Power, LLC, including in the initial Title V air permit application as well as supplemental materials that were provided in response to requests for additional information by the DEC. The department also reviewed the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the project. Additionally, the department reviewed the over 6,600 public comments received from individuals or organizations during the public comment period.
“As described further below, and as initially indicated by the Department in the Notice of Complete Application, the project would be inconsistent with or would interfere with the attainment of the Statewide greenhouse gas emission limits established in Article 75 of the Environmental Conservation Law. Moreover, Astoria [Gas Turbine Power, LLC] has failed to demonstrate that the project is justified notwithstanding this inconsistency, as it has not demonstrated a reliability need for the project. Nor has Astoria identified adequate alternatives or GHG mitigation measures. Therefore, given that the department is unable to satisfy these elements required by Section 7(2) of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA or Climate Act), the application is hereby denied,” the DEC Division of Environmental Permits wrote in an 18-page letter to Astoria Gas Turbine Power, LLC.
Several New York elected officials weighed in on the DEC decision.
“For too long, the people of western Queens have borne the brunt of the consequences of being home to far too many of New York’s pollution-belching power plants,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “A rebuilt NRG plant would have kept a fossil fuel-dependent power plant in Astoria for years to come, directly undermining the urgently needed goals laid out in New York’s groundbreaking climate law, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. A law I was proud to champion. I am so proud to have fought alongside great local leaders and activists to stop this pollution-spewing plant.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. added, “Queens has been emphatic and clear from the beginning: NRG’s proposed power plant in Astoria is antithetical to our critically important mission to eliminate our city’s dependence on fossil fuels and build a future centered on clean, renewable energy. We applaud the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for denying NRG’s permits and standing with the families of Astoria in opposition to this disastrous plan. From Superstorm Sandy to Hurricane Ida, Queens knows all too well the catastrophic impacts climate change has had on our borough. Time is of the essence, and today’s decision ensures Queens will continue to be a global leader in the fight for a more sustainable, resilient and healthy environment.”
