Rep. Fossella to EPA: Reject Permit for Rosebank Plant

Rep. Fossella to EPA: Reject Permit for Rosebank Plant
July 19, 2005

Fossella Cites Emission Violations & Inadequate Security at Power Plant

[Washington, DC] - Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY13) today urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject the DEC's recommendation for a new five-year operating permit for the Rosebank power plant. The EPA has 45 days to review the permit and either approve or reject it.

In a letter to Jeffrey Holmstead, Assistant Administrator of Air and Radiation for the EPA, Fossella criticized the operator of the plant, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), for misleading the community on the size, impact and emission levels of the facility.

"It is my belief the permit should be rejected and steps should be taken at the State level to close this facility," Fossella said. "I fully recognize the need for maintaining a reliable electricity system and for adding additional generation to the grid to meet the growing demand for energy and prevent disturbances such as brownouts and blackouts from occurring. However, I do not believe that Rosebank was the appropriate site to be chosen for this generator. Furthermore, I am disturbed by NYPA's actions to date, including significant violations of emissions levels and lack of adequate security at the facility. Simply stated: NYPA did not act in the best interest of the people of Staten Island when siting this facility and have failed to live up to their promise of being a good neighbor to the residents of Rosebank."

Last year, the Staten Island Advance exposed New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) documents noting the plant has violated its permitted emissions levels no less than 300 times.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny13_fossella/050719_epa.html