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
Category: News
NY NJ Trail Conference: Proposed Hydroelectric Plant Threatens Catskills’ Ashokan Reservoir
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
Poughkeepsie Journal: A proposed project is threatening one of the Catskills’ best fishing streams. Here’s details.
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.
Senator Michelle Hinchey Gathers Local Leaders and Environmental Groups to Oppose Harmful Ashokan Pumped Storage Project
April 8th, 10am at the Ashokan Center (video via) Olivebridge, NY – Today at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, State Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) held a press conference with environmental groups, municipal leaders, and area residents to express widespread community-led opposition to a pumped storage project being proposed for the Ashokan Reservoir and to encourage…… Continue reading Senator Michelle Hinchey Gathers Local Leaders and Environmental Groups to Oppose Harmful Ashokan Pumped Storage Project
Radio Kingston: Hydro Power On the Ashokan?
Listen here.
Moving images to Save Catskills Preserve
https://vimeo.com/532660315 https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=e1gHSYBjOwo#
Updated Maps from Geographer Elizabeth Cruz
Note from Elizabeth Cruz, Geographer/GIS Specialist at US Fish and Wildlife Service: “The reservoir locations shown on the maps are based on the dam crest and water surface elevations provided in the proposal by Premium Energy Holdings. In the case of Wittenberg and Woodland reservoirs, these maps match the maps in the proposal. Using the…… Continue reading Updated Maps from Geographer Elizabeth Cruz
The River: Mud in the Water: The Fight Over Turbidity in Esopus Creek
Excellent detail on preexisting issues with turbidity in the Ashokan reservoir and the Esopus, an issue that increasingly occurs in periods of heavy rainfall. If we can’t manage heavy silt during rainy seasons, an additional 200 acre reservoir and dam emptying into the same reservoir will not make this management easier. NYC regularly discharges turbid…… Continue reading The River: Mud in the Water: The Fight Over Turbidity in Esopus Creek
River Reporter: Prattsville rides again?
So, here we go again: same watershed, same issues. The upper basin of Ashokan Reservoir is fed by the often turbid waters of the Schoharie Reservoir and the Esopus Creek via the Shandaken Tunnel. When the Ashokan Reservoir complex was completed around 1915, the upper basin, because of the upstream silt load, was designed as…… Continue reading River Reporter: Prattsville rides again?
Catskill Center Statement on the Proposed Premium Energy Ashokan Pumped Storage Plan
We are currently researching this proposal, will be engaged in the comment process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commision (FERC), and will be making a motion to intervene. While we are supportive of renewable energy generation opportunities, this project is ill-conceived and does not take into account a number of barriers to its implementation including…… Continue reading Catskill Center Statement on the Proposed Premium Energy Ashokan Pumped Storage Plan