Dear Editor,
While I’m cheering Danskammer Energy’s recent decision to not challenge the Department of Environmental Conservation’s denial of air permits for the project (Mid Hudson News Danskammer pulls challenge to DEC permit denials – June 15, 2023) I’m also skeptical that this is the last we’ve heard from this plant.
This zombie plant has tried to come back from the brink many times even in spite of overwhelming grass-roots opposition to shift this peaker plant into a full time facility. Three years ago, Danskammer Energy tried to sell all of us on its lies, stating that it would eventually be converted into a green hydrogen power plant by 2040. As was revealed then, and is still true now, the company’s hydrogen plans are a form of “greenwashing” or an attempt to mislead the public about the environmental effects of the project.
Danskammer has asked that the permit proceeding be paused for one year and some believe the company will eventually seek to modify its plans. If it does modify its plans and brings back this promise of shifting to hydrogen power we need to be prepared to continue pushing back on this deceptive fossil fuel industry greenwashing.
Hydrogen technology doesn’t even currently exist. Using hydrogen in power plants is NOT a solution to our climate catastrophe. It is actually a fairy tale plan to provide cover for continuing to import and burn fracked gas from Pennsylvania. What New York State needs is real climate solutions – not fake fairy tale ones.
Nivo Rovedo
Lagrangeville
