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Elected officials and environmental activists gathered in Atoria Park on August 26 to oppose plans to replace the 50-year-old NRG Energy Frame Gas Plant in the Datmers-Steinway area.
It is currently being evaluated by the New York State Department of Environmental Protection (DEC) and about 50 people gathered in the park for the second and final public hearing for the project. DC Approved draft licenses For the NGG gas power plant in early July.
Activists hope to see a new opportunity to close the project by taking control of Kathy Hochuul.
Gujarat’s representative, Zohran Mamdani, called on Astoria to deal with fossil fuels in its administration and to use renewable energy.
“Finally, by placing the governor [Andrew] I think Komomo has the opportunity to be a real climate champion, or at least to fight a climate crisis, in our rearview mirror, this is it. [Cuomo] It was, ”he said.
“Every day, I see my neighbors around Astoria suffering from poor air quality in our city, and we have asthma. That’s enough, ”said Mamdani. Today, when we can build clean energy, we are sick and tired of investing in fossil fuels.
The idea for the new project has met with strong opposition from top New York leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Congresswoman Alexandria Occio-Cortez and Caroline Maloney, and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
As the chimneys continue to pollute, West Queens residents have been living in the shadows of New York City’s power plants, carrying environmental and health consequences – which must be stopped today. An earlier demonstration against the NRG idea.
NRG has worked on 15 acres Gas turbines Since 1999 in northern Astoria. They say the plan to upgrade the existing Peaker plant is to provide the city system with backup or backup power in case of extreme heat or cold weather or hurricanes.
Tom Atkins, vice president of development at NRG, said earlier that the Peaker plant would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about five million tons. The project will create 500 new trade unions during construction and cost the region $ 156 million.
However, elected officials have called for NRG to cut greenhouse gas emissions to Net-Zero by 2050, in violation of the Climate Management and Community Protection Act.
Schumor previously stated: “The NRG plant, which will sustain a fossil fuels in Assyria, directly undermines the urgent goals set out in the New York Earthquake Climate Law, the CCCA.
However, NRG spokesman David Schrarder said the proposed project is RSignificant reduction in state gas emissions.
“NRG’s plan to upgrade the Astoria Factory with modern technology will be in full compliance with the CCCA, which will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the expansion of renewable energy resources throughout the state,” he said. .
Other local leaders, such as State Senator Michael Gianaris, have called for the project to be rejected until it dies.
State Senator Jessica Ramos described the effects of fossil fuels on astronomy as “asthma.”
“Asthma Ale” refers to the corridors of the Austrian and Long Island cities, known for their unusual high asthma rates due to overcrowding in New York City power plants.
“My neighbors are literally and figuratively ill because of the use of fossil fuels in the fossil fuel industry, ”Ramos said. “Astronauts do not want another fragmented gas plant to pollute the air they breathe. We are currently experiencing a devastating effect on climate change, and it is ironic that even this requires debate. Hochuel and DC must deny these licenses to NRG to protect our astronauts and our climate.
During this week’s virtual hearings, More than 150 speakers strongly opposed the project. Some say they are high school students in their area, and they fear the future.
“I am only 17 years old, so I am by no means a scientist,” said one speaker. My level of scientific credibility is in high school environment courses, but even in these classes, they tell us the cost of more decomposed and fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are ruining my future. I want you to take that into account. ”