New York yanks air permit on new gas-fired plant

Bloomberg

New York regulators declined to renew an air permit for a controversial 680-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in New York state, effectively shutting it down just before it was poised to go into service.
The Department of Environmental Conservation denied the renewal application. The agency said the owner Competitive Power Ventures Inc. did not have a Title V Clean Air Act permit, which is issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency and required by the state before new power plants can start generating electricity.
“As a result of this denial and the lack of a Title V permit, CPV may not lawfully operate the facility,” Kelly Turturro, regional director of the department, said.
CPV completed construction this year on the plant in Wawayanda, about 105 kilometres northeast of New York City. A pipeline began delivering gas in July, according to the Silver Spring, Maryland-based company’s website. It was expected to finish testing within weeks, and would be ready to supply the New York grid during hot-weather shortages.
“We remain committed to operating within all applicable operating permit requirements and look forward to working with the DEC to address any concerns they have,” Tom Rumsey, senior vice president of external affairs at CPV, said.
Environmental groups opposed the plant because it uses gas produced by fracking, and would emit carbon dioxide etc.