Category: News

Hello, supporters of the Catskills! A few updates from the executive team of The Coalition to Save the Catskill Preserve: First, we’ve updated our Mission Statement to reflect our ongoing efforts to protect the Catskills. We’re monitoring for projects and proposals that might harm the Catskill Forest Preserve and adjacent area. During our coalition’s efforts… Continue reading Updates from the Coalition

We’re happy to report that Premum Energy Holdings, LLC has officially withdrawn their application. Victor Rojas cited “the social impact the proposed project reservoirs would cause” but also claims to be seeking a more suitable project location. Thanks to everyone for helping defeat this proposal. We couldn’t have done it without you! Listen to reactions… Continue reading Application Withdrawn: A victory for the Catskills (for now)

We’re not claiming victory until we have confirmation, but here’s a recent interview with Victor Rojas, President of Premium Energy (the company behind the proposal) that just aired on WAMC by Allison Dunne. The segment aired on the Northeast Report @ 6:30pm EST April 12th: Listen here.

In just two months, the Ashokan Pumped Storage Project has managed to outrage just about everyone it threatens to touch: local politicians both right and left, environmentalists, county and school administrators, and ordinary woods-dwellers whose homes lie under blue water on Premium Energy’s speculative topo maps. “The application itself has already caused great stress and… Continue reading The River: Ashokan Power Project Faces Uphill Battle

This letter submitted by Olive Town Supervisor Jim Sofranko is an extremely comprehensive summary of the enormous deficiencies in the project proposal submitted by Premium Energy. The application itself has already caused great stress and alarm in the community. The issuance of a permit will only compound that stress, adversely affect property values, disrupt the… Continue reading Town of Olive’s: Comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

We would like to clarify the headline in this reporting: Premium Energy has said that they would look for a new location, but they have not rescinded their application located in the Catskills nor have they submitted a application with a new location. You can watch the full comments by Senator Michele Hinchey at this… Continue reading Daily Freeman: Company that wants to build hydropower station near Ashokan Reservoir seeks new site for water source

OLIVEBRIDGE – A proposal by California-based Premium Energy Holdings to construct a pumped storage project to generate hydroelectric power from the Ashokan Reservoir has received widespread local opposition from area environmental groups and State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D, Saugerties). The company has submitted a preliminary permit application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study… Continue reading Mid Hudson News: Environmental groups, Hinchey, oppose proposed Ashokan pumped storage project (video)

City urges federal regulators to deny preliminary permit for ill-conceived project at Ashokan Reservoir, a vital source of unfiltered drinking water for more than 9 million New Yorkers

The Trail Conference opposes a proposed hydroelectric facility that would irreversibly damage areas of the Catskill Forest Preserve. We need your help to stop this ill-conceived project. Premium Energy Holdings of Southern California has proposed a pumped-storage hydroelectric facility within the boundaries of the Forever Wild lands of the Catskill Forest Preserve that would have negative impacts on the Ashokan… Continue reading NY NJ Trail Conference: Proposed Hydroelectric Plant Threatens Catskills’ Ashokan Reservoir

By Bill Connors: Premium Energy of Walnut Creek, California, has filed a proposal with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to build a pumped storage facility utilizing water from the lower (western) basin of Ashokan Reservoir in Ulster County. The reservoir is fed by Esopus Creek, one of the most important fisheries in the Catskills; anglers… Continue reading Poughkeepsie Journal: A proposed project is threatening one of the Catskills’ best fishing streams. Here’s details.