NEWBURGH – Danskammer Energy, LLC hosted a pair of public sessions on Monday to address the operation of the natural gas plant project that has been controversial for the Town of Newburgh.
Local resident Tim Muller is aware of the environmental concerns, but
believes the project will provide electricity to the community in lieu
of Indian Point’s absence.
“A new plant in this area would certainly be helpful,” Muller said. “We have to have the power from some place, and I understand that everyone is concerned, but we still need power.”
Area residents also need jobs, and the power plant will potentially produce 450 construction jobs for up to 2 ½ years while maintaining more than 30 existing, high-skilled jobs in Orange County and the Town of Newburgh.
“The project will involve $40 million in costs, said William Reid,
founder of Tiger Infrastructure Partners and Agate Power, the investment
firm that owns and operates Danskammer Energy. “We have an operating
power plant now that was built in the 50s. When Indian Point goes down
it will run much more than it does now. The new plants will dramatically
improve the environmental profile of the plant. We won’t use Hudson
River water; we will reduce air emissions by over 85 percent.”
There were will be another public session at 8 School Street in Wappingers Falls at 5:30 this afternoon.
