SPAN wants Astoria Generating Company to Listen

Sign the petition TODAY! (The filing goes in tomorrow.)

The issue concerning Astoria Generating Company's power plant(s) has a history of trying to get the word out, and now SPAN members would like a chance for Sunset Park residents to voice their opinions about the Astoria Generating Company's power plant in Sunset Park. Take a look at the email sent out by SPAN members, and at the very least, consider signing the petition (link below) to allow for residents to have a voice. Perhaps residents will be pro, perhaps they'll be con, but this has been in the works for a long time; giving those who will be most affected (I don't think the execs at AGC live around here) a chance to be heard is worth some time, isn't it?

from the SPAN email:

Hello Everyone,

We are writing today for your support and action! The Astoria Generating Company, the corporation looking to site another power plant in Sunset Park, has filed a Motion for Expedited Processing Without Oral Testimony to the Public Service Commission. If this Motion passes, the power plant company has the ability to decide on power plant placement without public hearings! This is a clear violation of democracy where the community has no say on decisions that will affect us, our children and our way of life.

On Wednesday, SPAN will be filing a legal request to block this motion. Please see it attached.

Please support us by signing a petition in support: http://www.petitiononline.com/SPANSPAN/petition.html

UPROSE Hosts Community Education Forum about Updates to Power Plant in Sunset Park

UPROSE Community Education Forum

Wednesday, July 23rd at 6:00pm

UPROSE will host a Community Education Forum on Wednesday, June 23rd at 6:00 pm at
UPROSE - 166A 22nd Street between 3rd & 4th Avenues.

Background: In October 2007, US Power Generating Company (USPowerGen) announced they would update the 560-megawatt Gowanus Generating Station located in Sunset Park.

UPROSE and community residents have expressed some concerns regarding the environmental impact on a community already suffering from many adverse environmental influences.

On June 5, UPROSE facilitated a meeting to discuss the possibility of a drafting a MOU (”Memorandum of Understanding”) or incorporating the community’s concerns in the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation permit process for USPowerGen.

USPowerGen has prepared a presentation to address the many questions that were cited at the meeting. USPowerGen has agreed to have all their explanations in laymen’s terms so everyone will be able to understand.

You can RSVP by calling 718.492.9307.

Saturday Events in Sunset Park: Green Market, Coop's Stoop Sale, SPAN meeting

Don't forget that the Sunset Park Green Market's first day is this Saturday! It opens at 8 AM and continues until 5 PM (or until the vendors run out of goods). It's on 4th Avenue between 59th and 60th Street. Last year's opening day was small, but there were wonderful squash flowers, cilantro, and a nice selection of greens. Stop by!

One of the 44th Street Coop buildings is having a big stoop sale on Saturday from 10 AM - 4 PM. It's at the top of the hill on 44th and 6th Avenue (570 44th Street). Some of the goods up for sale will be air conditioners, baby stuff, housewares, books, clothing, and the obligatory knick-knacks. Come check it out before hitting up 8th Avenue or 5th Avenue for some grub.

As previously posted, SPAN is hosting a presentation about the new power plant. It begins at 11 AM, and it's at Trinity Lutheran Church on 4th Avenue and 45th Street.

Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors to Host Power Plant Presentation

Instead of the usual Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors meeting, SPAN will be hosting a presentation about the new power plant that will be built followed by a discussion about neighborhood reactions/concerns.

Is Our Health At Risk?

Learn about the new power plant being built in our neighborhood

Saturday, July 12th
11am
Trinity Lutheran Church
4th Avenue between 45th and 46th Street

organized by SPAN (The Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors)
For more info: (718) 853-0949


¿Esta en peligro nuestra salud?

Lo invitamos a un foro sobre la construcción de una nueva planta de
energia en Sunset Park

Sabado 12 de julio 2008
11 a.m.
en la iglesia luterana
Entre la 46 y 45 en la 4ª avenida

Asuspeciado por SPAN (la alianza de vecinos de Sunset Park)
Llame al (718) 853-0949

Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors - Meeting this Saturday

from SPAN:

Saturday, June 28th is the next scheduled SPAN meeting. Meetings are at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church on 4th Avenue and 46th Street. This week's meeting will focus on
the proposed power plant for Sunset Park and outreach around the rezoning of the neighborhood.

SPAN will be tabling with information about the proposed rezoning during the Boricua Festival, as well. The festival is on the 58th Street pier from Noon through 6 PM. In addition, SPAN will continue to collect signatures from residents who are against the up-zoning of 4th and 7th Avenues and who want to see low-income and affordable housing rather than luxury condos. Please come out on Saturday to show your support and sign a petition!

Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors Meeting on Saturday

SPAN is an all volunteer group of neighbors committed to working towards creating a truly public process around the city's rezoning of Sunset Park and organizing around other justice-based issues. We make all decisions by consensus and welcome new neighbors to join.

SPAN meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month. Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be this coming Saturday, June 14th, at 11am at Trinity Lutheran Church on 4th Avenue
and 46th Street. On the agenda will be the rezoning campaign and the new proposed power plant.

Community Meeting about New US PowerGen Plant

As announced in 2007, Sunset Park will be the location for a new power plant. On Thursday, June 5 at 6 PM there will be a community-wide meeting concerning this proposed power plant project for the area. The meeting begins at 6 PM, and the offices are located at 166A 22nd Street. If childcare is needed, please call the UPROSE offices at 718-492-9307. You can also email at info@uprose.org.

Check out the October announcement about the power plant here. The first paragraph follows:

New York, NY, October 1, 2007 — Astoria Generating Company, a subsidiary of US Power Generating Company (”USPowerGen”) that owns over 20% of the generating capacity located in New York City, announced today the South Pier Improvement Project in the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn, NY. The Project will update the existing 560-megawatt Gowanus Generating Station with the addition of approximately 100 to 150 megawatts of new, cleaner electric generation to help meet the need for additional capacity in the Sunset Park area and in New York City while reducing the total emissions of Astoria Generating’s power plants in Sunset Park to below current levels. “The South Pier Improvement Project is a significant investment in the environmental and energy future of the Sunset Park community, the Brooklyn waterfront and New York City,” announced Jay Worenklein, Chairman and CEO of USPowerGen. The South Pier Improvement Project is projected to produce electricity in late spring of 2010 and will cost in excess of $100 million to construct.

Power Plant Proposal Info

In case you aren't up on the neighborhood action regarding powering up the City, here's an update courtesy of The Brooklyn Eagle. It deals with an upgrade proposed for the 29th Street Pier Gowanus Generating Plant. According to the article, the plant is owned by the same company that owns the Narrows Generating Plant on 53rd Street and 1st Avenue. Considering the changes proposed, it's a good bet they are also planning upgrades to that plant in the future. The upgrades are described as "greener" clean energy. However, the use of "greener" and not just "green" makes me a little suspicious. If the output is going to increase, so will the side effects - or particle emissions. Yep, we breathe it in! Anyway, just an update in case you hadn't heard about it.