Noble presses state on Ulster power plant

TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. » Kingston Mayor Steve Noble wants the state to compel the developer of a proposed 20-megawatt power plant in the neighboring town of Ulster to implement an “enhanced public participation plan” for the project’s preview.

In a July 23 letter to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Noble wrote that GlidePath Power Solutions, doing business for this project as Lincoln Park DG LLC, need to provide information about potential impacts to the city from emissions at the plant, which would be along Frank Sottile Boulevard, between Miron Lane and state Route 32.

“The city of Kingston ... requests that the DEC direct the applicant to prepare and submit an enhanced participation plan for review and approval so that it can be implemented before the public comment on the DEIS (draft environmental impact statement) is opened,” Noble wrote. “In this way ... [Kingston] will be provided with sufficient time, tools and the opportunity to clearly voice and have their comments be considered on the proposed Lincoln Park grid support center.”

Minnesota-based GlidePath has proposed using about 3 acres of a 122-acre project site, which consist of three parcels owned by Kingston Landing LLC. GlidePath says the power station, fueled by natural gas and lithium-ion batteries, would provide backup electricity in the event of power outages and be able to put electricity into the grid during period of peak demand. The proposal calls for two 10-megawatt generators.

Opponents of the plan, including Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, contend the plant would provide power primarily for the

New York City area. Noble’s letter also called on the state to “send a written notice to the applicant requesting that it immediately commence compliance with the requirements of the department’s environmental justice policy.”

Environmental justice areas are areas where there is a low-income population and where property is at an increased risk of industrial development. Noble noted the power plant would be 1.3 miles from a part of the city listed as an environmental justice area.

GlidePath representatives said they were not familiar with the Noble’s letter.