Emily Pomilio (480) 286-0401, emily.pomilio@sierraclub.org
Albany, N.Y.— Eleven various organization submitted comments today supporting the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) efforts to decrease dangerous smog pollution downstate. Last week, DEC hosted three public hearings in Albany, New York City and Long Island on new nitrous oxide (NOx) pollution limits for over 40“peaker” gas plants, located across Long Island and New York City. “Peakers” only run during times of peak energy demand a handful of days a year, but they emit enormous amounts of toxic pollutants into our air -- harming New Yorkers health and leaving downstate New York with some of the worst air quality in the country.
Many of these peaker plants are located in low-income communities and communities of color, part of a legacy of environmental racism in New York. Advocates and local community members testified in support of these peaker plants to be taken offline to clean up New York’s air and help Governor Cuomo meet his decarbonization goal by replacing these plants with clean renewable energy such as solar, offshore wind and storage.
In response, Lisa Dix, New York Senior Representative for the Sierra Club said:
“The Sierra Club applauds the Department of Environmental Conservation and Governor Cuomo for their efforts in reducing dangerous smog pollution in New York, which harms our children, the elderly and communities already disproportionately affected by climate pollution. It’s time to replace these dirty plants with clean, renewable, offshore wind, solar and energy storage, allowing our communities to breathe easier while creating thousands of family-wage jobs for New Yorkers.
“Coupled with the recently adopted finalized coal regulations, which phase coal out of the state by 2020, these actions move New York closer to a 100 percent carbon-free electric sector by 2040.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.