New York State has refused to issue air licenses to two power plants in New York City and the Hudison Valley

Basil Seggos, director of the New York State Department of Environmental Protection, said Wednesday that air permit applications from two natural gas power plants in New York City and along the Hudson River had been rejected because they did not meet state greenhouse gas emission targets.

According to the Associated Press, supporters believe the rejection marks a victory for clean air advocates. They argue that as New York State transitions to cleaner, renewable energy, the two plants will generate unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. Under the 2019 Climate Act, New York State is trying to slash greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades.

NRG Energy's power plant in Astoria, Queens, and danskammer Energy Center's power plant in Newburg, in the Hudison Valley, both filed Title V air permits, and Both plants are inconsistent with New York State's leading climate laws and do not meet grid reliability requirements, Segos said.

The NRG has proposed replacing oil-fired power plants with cleaner natural gas power plants. The company said it was reviewing the state government's decision that the project would have immediately reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Tom Atkins, NRG's vice president of energy development, said New Yorkers should have cleaner air and reliable energy to ensure small businesses, homes, schools and hospitals still have electricity when they need it most. And that's what this project can achieve. For now, he said, the power plant in Astoria will continue to operate.

Danskammer Energy is looking to build and operate a new natural gas-fired power facility at an existing power station 50 miles north of New York City. The company has not commented on the state's decision.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and other elected officials, as well as environmental groups, have praised the state Environmental Protection Agency for refusing to issue permits. Ned Sullivan, president of the Hudson Scenic Area, said the ruling on Danskammer was "the first real case" of New York's new climate law and a major victory for both the Hudson Valley and New York State.

Compile: LH