P.O. Box 213   -   Pomona, NY 10970
Non-Profit Organization  -  Founded 1930

 

 

CONSTRUCTION/OPERATION OF POWER PLANTS
IN TORNE VALLEY, 
TOWN OF RAMAPO, NEW YORK

There are two power plants proposed for the Torne Valley in the Town of Ramapo, New York. Both would be located within the Ramapo River Watershed in the Northern Highlands. The area is a federally designated sole source aquifer; supplying water to over 2,000,000 people in Rockland and Bergen Counties.

The siting of these plants comes under the New York Public Service Law Article X. This is a recognized fast track process for siting electric generating facilities. The Public Service Commission Board has usurped the local "home rule".

Local voices are heard only through a legal procedure that allows limited intervenor funds for expert testimony. Legal funds are not available to the community. This places an undue burden on the community that may not even realize benefits from the construction and operation of the power producing facilities.

The burden to the local communities is significant, for both the siting procedure and operation of power plants. The threats to the quality of life in the surrounding communities are great. Threatened clean air and water are key concerns; as well as many others.

bullet Proposed site would pose threat to wildlife habitats, especially threatened timber rattlesnakes and native brook trout.

bullet Emissions would contribute to further air pollution area is already considered in the severe ozone non-attainment zone (emission potential of: oxides of nitrogen (Nox) 1317.81 pounds per day, volatile organic compounds (VOC) 279.18 pounds per day)

bullet VOCs and Nox are precursors of ozone, responsible for human health problems when inhaled, even at very low levels

bullet Bulk storage of 19% ammonia (20% EPA rated hazardous material) over 50,000 gallons, potential threat of contamination to water source, from spills
bullet Local schools are within two miles of proposed site

bullet Proposal does not consider the EPA national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) of PM2.5, recently upheld by the US Supreme Court (No. 99-1257. Argued November 7, 2000 -Decided February 27, 2001)

bullet Cumulative air impact results of two facilities exceed air quality standard, whereby each party asserts no responsibility

bullet Article X imposes no stipulations that dirty old facilities be closed, rather leaves that to resulting economic competition of merchant power producers

bullet Proposed facilities fueled by natural gas only, which would be subject to market price and availability, potentially limiting reliability of energy and price to customer
bullet Local energy need does not outweigh use of local natural resources, electricity is to be sold to the northeast power grid

bullet Proposed site is surrounded on three sides by Palisades Interstate Park, recreational parkland for millions of visitors

bullet Unlined capped landfill near the proposed site presents a challenge to the needed blasting during construction; this may affect drinking water

bullet Depletion of drinking water would be significant (ANP-continues to change its intended use)

bullet Well capacity is already lessened due to a spil1 by Hudson Technologies, Inc, of approximately 7,797 pounds of Freon 11 to the ground surface, which has impacted ground water conditions

bullet Rockland County does not have air-monitoring receptors to evaluate air quality, projected models reflect studies of area outside the County

bullet Statistically, Rockland is number one in NYS incidence of breast cancer: our immune systems are already compromised, additional pollutants may add greater stress to the health of the community

bullet Article X does not address conservation or alternative energy

 

 

Last Updated: September 09, 2003
© Property of Rockland County Conservation Association, Inc.