Albany, NY — Yesterday, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the start of the 60-day public comment periods for the controversial Danskammer and Astoria fracked gas power plants. Advocates who have been mobilizing opposition to the projects, welcomed the opportunity to call on the Cuomo administration to use its authority to stop both dirty fossil fuel infrastructure schemes, which threaten the ability to meet New York’s climate goals.

In response, Food & Water Watch Senior New York Organizer Eric Weltman issued the following statement:

“Despite recommendations from his own Climate Advisory Council earlier this year to set a moratorium on new and expanding fossil fuel power plants, Governor Cuomo has not used his executive authority to halt the permitting process for projects like Danskammer and Astoria NRG. The Danskammer and Astoria NRG fracked gas plants would lock New York into a fossil fuel future — Governor Cuomo cannot allow that to happen. The public comment period will demonstrate the tremendous depth and breadth of New Yorkers’ opposition to these dangerous projects.”

Contact: Phoebe Galt, [email protected]