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Antis Rally in Orange County, NY Against Clean-Burning NatGas Plant

For more than two years MDN has chronicled the journey of Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) to build a $900 million Marcellus gas-fired electric plant in Wawayanda, NY, called the Valley Energy Center. Early on the project faced court challenges, but a judge gave final approval to build it in September 2015 (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). On Aug. 30, the Cuomo-corrupted NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a letter to FERC and Millennium, denying Millennium the right to build a 7.8 mile pipeline to feed the new plant (see Corrupt NY DEC Denies Water Permit for 7.8 Mile Power Plant Pipeline). Two weeks later overrode the DEC and told Millennium they can build it anyway (see History Made! FERC Overrules NY DEC on Millennium Pipe Permit). A group of anti-everythings in Orange County are adamantly opposed to the project–and they think if they can stop the pipeline, they can stop the project. Not true. If a gas pipeline is not run to the plant, CPV plans to use fuel oil instead (see If NatGas Pipeline is Blocked, NY Elec Plant Will Use Oil Instead). One way or the other, the plant will be completed in early 2018–and go online, producing electricity. As for what powers it–that remains to be seen. We found it interesting (and amusing) that a group of ninny nannies staged a rally on Monday in Wawayanda (where the CPV plant is under construction), to once again oppose the project–and to encourage the Orange County Legislature to pass a non-binding resolution against the project, hoping for…hoping for we’re not sure what! The plant is getting built. It’s a done deal. It’s going online early next year. It’s a done deal. The only thing that remains is to decide if clean-burning natural gas will power it–or much dirtier fuel oil. Apparently the antis are too obtuse to grasp this simple fact…
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History Made! FERC Overrules NY DEC on Millennium Pipe Permit

Finally the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has had enough shenanigans from the corrupted New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC). In a historic, precedent-setting decision, on Friday FERC overruled DEC’s denial of a water permit for Millennium Pipeline’s tiny 7.8 mile pipeline spur from the main Millennium Pipeline to a natural gas power plant under construction in Orange County, NY. On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the DEC issued a denial letter to FERC and Millennium. In it, they claim that FERC’s review of the power plant project (that the pipeline will feed) is deficient based on a recently-decided court case about a pipeline project in Florida (see Corrupt NY DEC Denies Water Permit for 7.8 Mile Power Plant Pipeline). The radicalized DEC used the Florida case as an excuse to refuse stream crossing permits for the Millennium Pipeline project–claiming FERC had not considered long-term effects of mythical man-made global warming that would come from the power plant if the Millennium pipeline is connected to and feeds the plant. The DEC decision was a naked attempt to grab power not given to it under federal law. FERC said ENOUGH, and ruled on Friday the DEC had taken too long (over one year) in dithering with a decision on the Millennium pipeline request. A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said FERC has the power and authority to overrule the DEC when they take longer than one year to grant permits (see DC Court Tells Millennium FERC Can Override NY DEC Pipeline Delay). So FERC just exercised their federal, court-approved authority and smashed the DEC into the ground. LOVE IT! Of course the humiliated DEC spit and sputtered and said they will likely sue…
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NY’s Critical Error in Denying Millennium Pipe for Power Plant

On August 30th the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a refusal to grant a water permit to Millennium Pipeline to build a tiny, 7.8 mile pipeline spur from the main Millennium Pipeline to an under-construction natural gas-fired electric generating plant in Orange County (see Corrupt NY DEC Denies Water Permit for 7.8 Mile Power Plant Pipeline). The electric plant will get finished either way, whether it’s fed by natural gas or, alternatively, by dirtier fuel oil. The DEC has blocked many (not all, but many) recently filed pipeline projects in the state–because of undue and corrupt influence from our governor, Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo seeks to appease his radical/left base. The DEC previously denied a water permit for the Constitution Pipeline, stating Constitution had not provided all of the required information the DEC needs to properly evaluate the project (see NY Gov. Cuomo Refuses to Grant Permits for Constitution Pipeline). The DEC later refused a water permit for NFG’s Northern Access Pipeline project (see Cuomo’s Corrupt NY DEC Blocks NFG Northern Access Pipeline Permit). In the case of Northern Access, the DEC claimed they did have enough information, but in their opinion the project would do too much damage to Mom Earth. Both the Constitution and Northern Access projects are in court to try and overturn the DEC’s decision to block. However, in refusing Millennium’s tiny 7.8 mile pipeline to the Valley Energy Power plant, the DEC claimed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) didn’t do a proper job in evaluating the project’s impact on mythical man-made global warming. The pipeline will feed gas to an electric plant, and the DEC says the electric plant will produce air emissions that will help toast Mom Earth. A couple of top energy attorneys from the law firm Blank Rome explain how the DEC has made a critical error in judgment with their refusal of the Millennium project, a decision they say stands a “very high” chance of being overturned on appeal…
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Corrupt NY DEC Denies Water Permit for 7.8 Mile Power Plant Pipeline

Environmental radicalism has now fully metastasized at the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The organization is nothing more than a political tool of the environmental far-left (and corrupt Gov. Cuomo), as evidenced in the DEC’s latest outrageous decision to deny federal water crossing permits to a 7.8 mile pipeline to feed an electric power generating plant in Orange County, NY–a plant currently under construction. The reason for the rejection? NOT because of any so-called harms to the environment due to crossing streams–the reason for the permits. No. But because, says the DEC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which evaluated the power plant project, didn’t take into consideration the plant’s potential contribution to mythical man-made global warming. In other words, the DEC just admitted they have denied a WATER permit based on other (political) criteria–not the criteria on which they were legally bound to decide. We predict the DEC will get crushed when this is all over and done. But the problem is, it will take years to litigate. Meanwhile, the Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) Valley Energy Center will complete its construction and go online in early 2018–powered by much-dirtier fuel oil instead of clean-burning natural gas. Congratulations to all of the antis, and the DEC, who oppose the power plant project. You’ll now have even MORE so-called global warming (and air pollution in the region) because of your lunacy…
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Crestwood’s Orange County, NY Rail NGL Terminal Opens Sept 6

Crestwood concept drawing for rail terminal in Orange County, NY – click for larger version

In February MDN told you we had made a discovery in reading through Crestwood Equity Partners (formerly known as Crestwood Midstream) quarterly update: the company is “developing a greenfield rail-to-truck NGL terminal in Montgomery, NY that will increase propane supply reliability across the Northeast markets” (see Crestwood Building Rail-to-Truck NGL Terminal in Orange County, NY). The terminal will come from “multiple producers in the Marcellus and Utica regions.” At that time, Crestwood was in the process of building the terminal, which will handle propane, in Orange County, NY–not far from New York City. Given NY’s allergy to any project related to fossil fuels, we found the news quite incredible. Something even more incredible: the terminal is done and the grand opening will happen next Wednesday, Sept. 6th…
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If NatGas Pipeline is Blocked, NY Elec Plant Will Use Oil Instead

For the past 2+ years MDN has chronicled the journey of Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) to build a $900 million Marcellus gas-fired electric plant in Wawayanda, NY, called the Valley Energy Center. Early on the project faced court challenges, but a judge gave final approval to build it in September 2015 (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). One of the “locals” who objected to the plant is Hollywood actor James Cromwell, star of movies like Babe and Star Trek: First Contact. Cromwell has a summer home in the area and doesn’t like the idea of an electric plant nearby, so he became a criminal protester (see Actor James Cromwell Arrested Protesting NY Power Plant Site). It took a few years, but Cromwell was finally jailed after refusing to pay a fine related to his arrest. He ended up serving just three of his seven day sentence (see “Privileged White” Actor Cromwell Serves < Half of Jail Sentence). Being famous and rich has its perks–including corruption of justice. The thing about Hollywood actors who are good at their craft, as is Cromwell, is that in other areas of life they are often stupid, as is Cromwell. Case in point: Cromwell thinks he can stop the $900 million plant, which is more than half built, by opposing a short, 7.8-mile pipeline spur off the Millennium Pipeline to feed the plant (see NY DEC Holds Sham “Hearing” for Power Plant Pipeline). Stop the pipeline, and the plant won’t open, right? Wrong! The owner has a Plan B for the plant, otherwise they would not have begun construction in the first place. If for some reason the natural gas pipeline doesn’t get built (highly unlikely), the plant will burn oil instead. Apparently Cromwell would rather have MORE air pollution around his home rather than allow a clean-burning pipeline to feed the plant. What a dope. The plant will open either way, with or without natural gas feeding it…
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NY DEC Holds Sham “Hearing” for Power Plant Pipeline

New York’s corrupted Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is running scared. For 19 months the DEC has intentionally delayed granting a tiny, 9-mile spur Millennium Pipeline wants to build in Orange County, NY the necessary federal 401 stream crossing permit it needs. Millennium took the DEC to federal court, but the court refused to get involved, telling Millennium if the DEC is delaying, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) can jump in and override the DEC (see DC Court Tells Millennium FERC Can Override NY DEC Pipeline Delay). So that’s what Millennium did. They asked FERC to grant the stream crossing permits themselves (see Showdown: Millennium Asks FERC for Permission to Ignore NY DEC). Sensing they are now in a death spiral and will lose control over not only the Millennium project, but also other projects like the Constitution Pipeline and Northern Access projects the DEC has been blocking, the DEC responded and asked FERC to wait until August 30th before granting the certificate–so the DEC could grant it (or not) themselves (see Corrupt NY DEC Fires Back at Millennium, Claims Deadline is Aug 30). So the DEC held a public hearing Wednesday night. A sham. Kabuki theater. It was the DEC going through the motions before they get off their rear-ends and grant the certificate they could have granted more than a year ago. The public hearing in Wawayanda, NY did not disappoint, with insane anti-fossil fuelers parading before the microphones and cameras, predicting the end of the world if this 9-mile pipeline to feed a gas-fired power plant gets built…
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Corrupt NY DEC Fires Back at Millennium, Claims Deadline is Aug 30

Yesterday MDN brought you the exciting news that Millennium Pipeline has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to overrule the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation–politicized and corrupted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo–and issue permission to commence construction of a very small 7.8 mile pipeline that will connect Millennium to a natural gas-fired power plant now under construction in Orange County, NY (see Showdown: Millennium Asks FERC for Permission to Ignore NY DEC). According to the law as written, if a state (like NY) does not act on a federal Section 401 Water Quality Certification stream crossing permit for 12 months, FERC has the right to step back in and issue the certificate. It would totally emasculate the corrupt DEC. But hold on. The DEC is once again using sleazy political tactics to try and forestall FERC from taking action. On Tuesday the DEC filed a letter with FERC requesting they hold off on granting Millennium permission to build–based on a technicality. Millennium first filed their application with the DEC 19 months ago. But the DEC says the initial application was “incomplete” and that the completed application, refiled by Millennium, didn’t happen until months later–and if you count the time from the refiled application, the DEC has until August 30th to issue the 401 water permit. And DEC says they will rule by or on August 30th. In a somewhat comical typographical error, the final paragraph of the DEC letter to FERC begins this way: “For the above reasons, I respectfully urge the Director of OEP to deny Millennium’s Request, or, alternatively, place the Request in abeyance until August 31, 3017…” Did you catch that? August of “3017.” Freudian slip? We’re sure the DEC would love FERC to delay a decision for another 1,000 years…
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Showdown: Millennium Asks FERC for Permission to Ignore NY DEC

This is it folks. This is the case that will crush New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s blockade of important pipeline projects in the Empire State. For 19 months the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has dithered around, at the prompting of Andrew Cuomo, and has refused to grant federal Section 401 Water Quality Certification stream crossing permits for a tiny 7.8 mile pipeline spur off the Millennium Pipeline in Orange County, NY, called the Valley Lateral Project, to feed a gas-fired electric generating plant that is now under construction. Statutorily NY has 12 months (1 year) to review such an application and act on it. NY has refused to act on it. So Millennium took the NY DEC to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In June the court dismissed the lawsuit by Millennium, which at first blush may seem like a blow. But it was the reasoning and opinion of the judges in dismissing the case that will change everything in New York. The judges said there is no case because if, as Millennium says, the DEC is denying the water permits, FERC itself has the power to jump back in and simply override NY DEC and issue the permits (see DC Court Tells Millennium FERC Can Override NY DEC Pipeline Delay). Last Friday Millennium pulled the trigger and did it–they sent an official request to FERC (copy below) that outlines their Herculean efforts to work with NY DEC over the past 19 months, and asks FERC to move forward with permission to build the pipeline anyway–IGNORING THE DEC. If FERC agrees (and we think they will), NY DEC is about to become irrelevant in ALL FERC-approved pipeline projects they are blocking, including the Williams Constitution and National Fuel Gas Northern Access projects…
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Trial Date Set for Corruption re Wayawanda, NY CPV Power Plant

In September 2016, MDN brought you the sad news that the former head of external affairs and government relations for Competitive Power Ventures (CPV), Peter Kelly, was indicted for bribing New York Gov. Cuomo’s long-time top aide Joseph Percoco to get state approvals for CPV’s $900 million Valley Energy Center natural gas-fired electric generating plant in Orange County, NY (see NY NatGas-Fired Electric Plant an Inside Job for Corrupt Cuomo Aide). Both Kelly and Percoco were indicted. The trial date is now set, for Jan. 8, 2018. The Kelly/Percoco corruption was just one part of a much larger corruption scandal that threatens to taint Gov. Cuomo’s re-election campaign next year. The larger scandal involves something dubbed Buffalo Billions. Corruption runs so deep in New York, we feel filthy just reading about it. Yesterday a federal judge overseeing the larger case split the case in two. The part of the case involving the CPV bribe happens in January, while the Buffalo Billions case happens next May. We try to sort it all out below…
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“Privileged White” Actor Cromwell Serves < Half of Jail Sentence

Being famous (and “privileged” and “white”) has its perks. Actor James Cromwell, as we noted yesterday, reported to jail last Friday for refusing to pay a fine and do community service following his illegal activities in blocking construction at the $900 million CPV Valley Energy Center project in Wawayanda, NY (see “Privileged White” Actor James Cromwell Jailed for Power Plant Protest). In an interview with People magazine, Cromwell said he was “excited” to experience something most “privileged white people” don’t experience–time in the clink. Cromwell endangered himself and others with his actions. A judge found him guilty. He refused to pay a small fine, so he received a sentence of seven days. Although we assumed he was in the midst of his sentence when we posted our piece yesterday, alas, come to find out, he was not. Cromwell was already released–after serving just 3 days of his 7-day sentence–less than half of his sentence. Jail officials tossed him out Monday morning, after spending the weekend in jail. So yes, apparently being a famous Hollywood star who is “privileged” and “white” gets you a free get-out-of-jail card–at least in Orange County, where the wheels of justice grind differently, depending on race, economic status and celebrity…
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“Privileged White” Actor James Cromwell Jailed for Power Plant Protest

James Cromwell as Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek

Hollywood actor James Cromwell is not only a privileged, spoiled 77-year old, he’s also self-loathing–because he’s white. That’s what we take from an article appearing in People magazine and its interview with Cromwell, who starred in movies like Babe, The Sum of All Fears and (one our favorites), Star Trek: First Contact. Cromwell, a Manhattanite, maintains a home in Orange County, NY (i.e. “Upstate”). When Cromwell learned that an electric generating plant that burns evil fossil fuels (natural gas) would be built near his home, he thought he would do what all Hollywood stars thinks will work–shut the project down by protesting. You know, because he’s famous. What a dope. After initial court challenges went nowhere, CPV (Competitive Power Ventures) began building the $900 million Valley Energy Center project in Wawayanda, NY (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). In December 2015, Cromwell and a few star-struck sycophants got themselves arrested for illegally blocking the entrance to the construction site (see Actor James Cromwell Arrested Protesting NY Power Plant Site). The wheels of justice grind slowly, but finally, two years later, the “Wawayanda Six,” as they call themselves, were found guilty and ordered to pay a fine. Some of the six did, but Cromwell and a few others refused. So last Friday Cromwell went to jail, where he’s sitting right now, for a seven-day sentence. Prior to heading off to the clink, Cromwell gave an interview to People in which he says, among other things, that’s he’s “excited” to be going to jail. He then said this: “So yes, I’m excited. I’m excited because I will have had an experience that not a lot of privileged white people have, what it’s like to be in there. What that system does to people who have no choice of how long they’re in there — they’re not gonna be in there for a week, they’re gonna be in there for years.” Our translation: Cromwell hates himself because he’s white and he’s privileged. Which is kind of ironic–because he tried to stop a $900 million project that will benefit the unprivileged people living in his area (with jobs and local tax revenue) precisely by USING his white, privileged status. Talk about conflicted!…
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Actor James Cromwell Going to Jail for Blocking NY NatGas Plant

James Cromwell as Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek

It looks like Hollywood actor and anti-fossil fuel activist James Cromwell will get to enjoy prison food for a week. For the last couple of years, MDN has reported on a $900 million Marcellus gas-fired electric generating plant coming to Orange County, NY (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). The CPV (Competitive Power Ventures) Valley Energy Center project has been vigorously opposed by local anti-drilling ninny nannies, including Cromwell. Cromwell is a spoiled rich kid from Manhattan who happens to own a home near the plant. He’d prefer to keep Upstate pristine, as his own private playground. Cromwell enlisted some neighbors and six of them got themselves arrested in December 2015 for blocking construction at the site (see Actor James Cromwell Arrested Protesting NY Power Plant Site). No matter. The plant is now under construction, as we reported in March. Construction of the plant is “moving full-steam ahead” and is on track to go online in early 2018. What about Cromwell and the other criminal protesters? The wheels of justice grind slowly. In June of this year, Cromwell and his fellow criminals stood before a judge, after being found guilty for their actions, and were fined $375. The judge told them to pay up by June 29 or go to jail. Cromwell defiantly said he won’t pay, he *wants* to go to jail (see ‘Wayawanda Six’ Convicted of Illegally Blocking NY Power Plant Project). Cromwell is going to get his wish–and get to sample jailhouse cuisine. Three of the “activists,” including Cromwell, have just been ordered by a judge to serve a one week sentence in Orange County Jail for refusing to pay the $375 fine–which is about how much Cromwell pays for a tip at one of his Hollywood power lunches. Cromwell’s lawyer begged and pleaded and got a tw0-week extension. Pay by July 14, or off to the clink…
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‘Wayawanda Six’ Convicted of Illegally Blocking NY Power Plant Project

James Cromwell as Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek

For the last couple of years, MDN has reported on a $900 million Marcellus gas-fired electric generating plant coming to Orange County, NY (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). The CPV (Competitive Power Ventures) Valley Energy Center project has been vigorously opposed by local anti-drilling ninny nannies, including Hollywood star James Cromwell. Cromwell is a spoiled rich kid from Manhattan who owns a home near the plant. He’d prefer to keep Upstate pristine, as his own private playground. Cromwell enlisted some neighbors and six of them got themselves arrested in December 2015 for blocking construction at the site (see Actor James Cromwell Arrested Protesting NY Power Plant Site). No matter. The plant is now under construction, as we reported in March (see Construction Update on CPV NatGas Power Plant Near Middletown, NY). Construction of the plant is “moving full-steam ahead” and is on track to go online in early 2018. So what about the criminal protesters? The wheels of justice grind slowly. This week Cromwell and his fellow criminals stood before a judge, after being found guilty for their actions, and were fined $375. The judge told them to pay up by June 29 or go to jail. Cromwell defiantly said he won’t pay, he *wants* to go to jail…Continue reading

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Update on Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Power Plant

MDN previously reported on a $900 million Marcellus gas-fired electric generating plant coming to Orange County, NY (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). The CPV (Competitive Power Ventures) Valley Energy Center project was vigorously opposed by local anti-drilling ninny nannies, including Hollywood star James Cromwell. No matter. The plant is now under construction, as we reported in March (see Construction Update on CPV NatGas Power Plant Near Middletown, NY). The good news is that construction of the plant is “moving full-steam ahead” and is on track to go online in early 2018. The local economic development agency said the plant has been a boon to the local economy. Here’s the latest about the CPV Valley Energy Center project, that somehow, against all odds, is getting built in New York State…Continue reading

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Construction Update on CPV NatGas Power Plant Near Middletown, NY

CPV Valley Energy Center – under construction

MDN previously reported on a $900 million natural gas-fired electric generating plant coming to Orange County, NY (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). The CPV (Competitive Power Ventures) Valley Energy Center project is being opposed by local anti-drilling ninny nannies, including Hollywood star James Cromwell. No matter. The plant is now under construction. Currently the natural gas pipeline that will feed the plant is in court, trying to sidestep foot-dragging by the corrupt Cuomo Dept. of Environmental Conservation (see Millennium Pipeline Sues Cuomo’s Corrupt DEC Over Expansion Delay). We expect that will be resolved soon, with permission granted. In the meantime, the new news is that not only is the $900 million plant itself under construction, high-voltage electric lines and substation are also under construction to connect the plant to the power grid…
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