Danskammer Energy drops plan for new methane gas plant in Newburgh
Danskammer is the latest proposed methane gas plant to be halted in New York since the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
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Danskammer Energy has withdrawn its application to covert a peaker plant into a full-time methane gas plant in Newburgh, ending years of legal battles and protests.
The company's decision comes after facing significant legal hurdles and widespread opposition from environmental advocates, who argued the project was incompatible with the state's landmark Clean Energy Law.
A representative for the state Department of Environmental Conservation says the proposed project was determined to be inconsistent with or would interfere with the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and that Danskammer failed to demonstrate the need or reliability justification for the proposed project.
“We are extremely happy,” says Stephen Ballentine, an attorney for the environmental group Scenic Hudson. “This is a big victory for people throughout the Hudson Valley. I’ve spent the last six years fighting against the permitting of this project.”
In a letter written by their attorney, the company noted the decision comes after their request for a stay in the permit application process. Ballentine says Danskammer requested the stay to evaluate whether it would modify their application or withdraw it.
Danskammer is the latest proposed methane gas plant to be halted in New York since the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which sets goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a clean energy economy.
News 12 reached out to a representative for the company and their attorney for comment but didn't immediately hear back.
