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State environmental regulators have denied a key permit for a $900 million power plant being built in Orange County.
The Department of Environmental Conservation filed a decision Thursday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission saying the environmental review of the 7.8-mile natural gas pipeline to the plant was deficient.
The Millennium Pipeline Company project would supply gas for Competitive Power Venture’s 650-megawatt Valley Energy Center in Wawayanda, 53 miles north of New York City. The plant is due to go online next year.
Environmental activists targeted the pipeline as a way to stop the power plant. FERC’s approval was contingent on the state approving permits.
Competitive Power Ventures, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, called the state’s action “without merit” and said it’s confident the pipeline will ultimately be approved.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has ruled the Lower Hudson Valley an energy-short area and imposed a rule intended to spur development of local generating capacity.
The “capacity zone,” which includes Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.’s coverage area, as well as New York City and Westchester County, was implemented on May 1, 2014, and requires the area’s utilities to buy at least 88 percent of their electrical capacity above actual demand from within the zone.
Central Hudson has said the rule has led to electric bill increases of 6 percent for residential customers and 10 percent for business customers. The state Public Service Commission contends the increase for residential customers could be as much as 13 percent.
Attorney Michael Sussman, who is representing opponents of the plant, said on Thursday, “We may actually stop the plant from every opening and polluting our valley if we can make this stick in court.”
NY denies key permit for Mid-Hudson gas-fired power plant
The Department of Environmental Conservation filed a decision Thursday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission saying the environmental review of the 7.8-mile natural gas pipeline to the plant was deficient.
The Millennium Pipeline Company project would supply gas for Competitive Power Venture’s 650-megawatt Valley Energy Center in Wawayanda, 53 miles north of New York City. The plant is due to go online next year.
Environmental activists targeted the pipeline as a way to stop the power plant. FERC’s approval was contingent on the state approving permits.
Competitive Power Ventures, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, called the state’s action “without merit” and said it’s confident the pipeline will ultimately be approved.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has ruled the Lower Hudson Valley an energy-short area and imposed a rule intended to spur development of local generating capacity.
The “capacity zone,” which includes Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.’s coverage area, as well as New York City and Westchester County, was implemented on May 1, 2014, and requires the area’s utilities to buy at least 88 percent of their electrical capacity above actual demand from within the zone.
Central Hudson has said the rule has led to electric bill increases of 6 percent for residential customers and 10 percent for business customers. The state Public Service Commission contends the increase for residential customers could be as much as 13 percent.
Attorney Michael Sussman, who is representing opponents of the plant, said on Thursday, “We may actually stop the plant from every opening and polluting our valley if we can make this stick in court.”
NY denies key permit for Mid-Hudson gas-fired power plant
