NRG Astoria power plant moves forward with public comment period
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Proposed upgrades to NRG’s Astoria peaker plant have entered the next phase of approval with draft permits and a public comment period. Rendering courtesy of NRG
By Rachel Vick
The public comment period for NRG’s proposed Astoria peaker plant upgrade is open, the Department of Environmental Conservation announced.
All paperwork has been filed and draft permits have been issued for NRG’s contentious Astoria Replacement Project, giving the public an opportunity to weigh in, with state officials paying close attention to how the plan complies with the state’s ambitious climate goals.
“DEC found that the current applications haven’t justified the projects or shown compliance with NY’s climate law,” tweeted DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.
The plant is looking to replace outdated natural gas turbines with a newer, more efficient model with a generating capacity of 437 Mega Watts. The upgrades include an estimated reduction of statewide greenhouse gas emissions by more than five million tons through the year 2035, according to the company.
Since being proposed, community members and advocates have argued that building new fossil fuel infrastructure will only cause further harm to nearby residents and is antithetical to the Climate Leadership Community Protection Act goals of using 70 percent renewable energy by 2030 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2050.
Greenhouse gases emitted by gas fired peaker plants include carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide, and release small particulate matter known to damage the respiratory system.
The No Astoria NRG Plant Coalition, made up of NYC DSA, Food & Water Watch, Sane Energy Project, Queens Climate Project, NYPIRG, Sierra Club, New York Communities for Change and 350Brooklyn, said they “are heartened to see the DEC question how a dirty fracked gas power plant can comply with state climate law,”
“It’s a sign that the people-led movement against new fossil fuel infrastructure here in New York City and across the state is winning,” the said in the statement. “We are seeing the devastating consequences of climate change today, and any new fracked gas project being proposed or approved in 2021, when we have viable alternatives… is a dangerous exercise in climate denial.”
Food & Water Watch Senior New York Organizer Eric Weltman added that though he and other advocates are disappointed in Cuomo’s earlier failure to reject the permits, they remain assured that the public comments “will demonstrate the tremendous depth and breadth of New Yorkers’ opposition.”
The peaker plant at 31-01 20th Ave. takes up 15 acres within the 300-acre Con Edison complex and is used to supplement the city’s grid during periods of extreme use, like heat waves.
NRG argues that the new technology will have the capacity to run on carbon-free fuel like hydrogen as a cleaner alternative; though most hydrogen is now produced by fossil fuels there is potential for more production through renewables, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
NRG spokesperson Dave Schrader said that the updates mark “an important step in securing an affordable and reliable future electric system for New York City.”
“As the last few days demonstrated, the need for reliable power is as great as ever and will continue for years to come,” Schrader said. “Our plan to modernize the Astoria Generating Station with state-of-the-art technology ensures that schools, hospitals, and homes are powered more efficiently and with dramatically lower emissions.”
“NRG looks forward to receiving input during the public comment period and working with the DEC to ensure the Project is consistent with New York State’s aggressive climate goals,” he added.
Public comments on the NRG Astoria Gas Turbines must be submitted in writing by Aug. 29.
