Stringer outlines opposition to Astoria power plant project in letter to state

The Astoria Generating Station. Photo by Ben Schuman/Wikimedia Commons

By David Brand

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has denounced a major energy company’s plan to overhaul its Astoria fuel-burning facility and urged the state to conduct a more thorough review of the proposed power plant project.

NRG Energy, one of the nation’s largest power companies, plans to replace its oil-burning infrastructure with gas-burning equipment to generate power at the Astoria “peaker” plant — a site that burns fuel to generate extra electricity when use increases in New York City, like during a heatwave.

Stringer, who is running a progressive campaign for mayor, said the project has not undergone adequate environmental and public health reviews and contradicts the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which requires New York to generate 70 percent of its electricity via renewable sources, like solar and wind power, by 2030. 

“This proposal, just as any further expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, is incompatible with our climate goals,” Stringer wrote in a letter to the state Department of Environmental Conservation Thursday. 

A reliance on natural gas “only threatens our progress towards a more sustainable future for our city,” he said.

Instead, Stringer urged NRG to consider a mix of wind, solar and battery storage to power the energy grid. He questioned NRG’s assertion that it could meet the carbon-free mandates of the CLCPA by ultimately producing electricity through hydrogen power.

“There are currently no hydrogen-exclusive power plants operating in the United States and there is no guarantee NRG will be able to source adequate amounts of sustainable hydrogen to reliably run the plant,” he said.

“Until this emerging technology develops a proven supply-chain, produces no lifecycle emissions, and becomes commercially viable, the proposed plant will run on fracked gas and will pose a threat to our climate.”

The project also faces strong opposition from leftwing groups throughout the city, such as  members of the Democratic Socialists of America with whom Stringer has aligned. A cohort of DSA candidates, including Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for Astoria’s 36th Assembly District, have urged the city to implement solar power and other forms of renewable energy. 

Astoria Councilmember Costa Constantinides, chair of the Council’s environmental committee, has also called on the city to focus on renewable energy production at the site and at a reimagined Rikers Island. 

The peaker plant opponents have noted the high rates of respiratory ailments in parts of Astoria near the existing facility, which has been referred to as “Asthma Alley.”

Though the NRG project may comply with decade-old state policy, it may not meet the New York’s new, stricter laws — or adequately mitigate the climate crisis threat, Stringer said.

“Given these concerns, I urge the DEC to require NRG to return to the Siting Board to gain updated approvals and engage in a more exhaustive environmental review process in order to protect the well-being of local residents and our progress towards our emissions goals,” Stringer wrote. 

“The urgency imposed by climate change requires an expeditious and just transition from fossil fuels and we cannot spare any time on reinforcing the existing status quo.”

Project backers say the city and state are not yet ready to make that transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Burning gas will release fewer carbons into the atmosphere than the old, oil-burning technology, according to NRG.

In a statement, NRG spokesperson Dave Schrader acknowledged Stringer’s concerns and said the project’s Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, expected later this month, will address the issues he raised. 

“However, this critical upgrade will immediately reduce on-site air emissions by up to 99% per hour while providing a modern and reliable power source that New York City needs now to avoid the rolling blackouts Californians are experiencing this summer,” Schrader said. 

“Opponents are pointing to needed renewable solutions, but they are still many years away from being able to provide all of New York City’s power requirements. NRG wants to help clean up New York’s air today.”