Below are recent news reports and updates regarding the Premium Energy Holdings, LCC pumped storage project in the Catskills Forest Preserve. If you’d like to signup for action alerts via email jump to the mailing list signup form.
- FERC Update May 2023Below is an update from Lloyd Hoffstatter: FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, is charged with managing the electrical transmission and distribution grids. As such its role is critical in the adoption of Distributed Energy Resources… Continue reading FERC Update May 2023
- Upcoming Event: Hidden Gems in the Bluestone Forest
Join our friends at Catskill Mountainkeeper for a special event presented by Paul Rubin When: Saturday, March 25 at 11 amWhere: Kingston, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Catskills320 Sawkill Road, Kingston, NY or join us online. Learn about new geological… Continue reading Upcoming Event: Hidden Gems in the Bluestone Forest - Action Alert: Support NYS StreamsOur friends at Riverkeeper have created a page to urge Governor Hochul to protect New York’s streams, and time is running out:
- Updates from the CoalitionHello, 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… Continue reading Updates from the Coalition
- Application Withdrawn: A victory for the Catskills (for now)We’re happy to report that Premum Energy Holdings, LLC has officially withdrawn their application.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project reservoirs would cause” but also claims to be seeking a more suitable project… Continue reading Application Withdrawn: A victory for the Catskills (for now)
- Promising DevelopmentsWe’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… Continue reading Promising Developments
- Action Alert Email #1Today’s alert:The FERC commenting deadline for the Ashokan Pumped Storage Project is this Monday, April 12! Comments can be made until 3pm EST, but get them in ASAP. → Submit to FERC We’re advising everyone to submit… Continue reading Action Alert Email #1
- The River: Ashokan Power Project Faces Uphill BattleIn 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… Continue reading The River: Ashokan Power Project Faces Uphill Battle
- Town of Olive’s: Comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionThis 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… Continue reading Town of Olive’s: Comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Daily Freeman: Company that wants to build hydropower station near Ashokan Reservoir seeks new site for water sourceWe 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… Continue reading Daily Freeman: Company that wants to build hydropower station near Ashokan Reservoir seeks new site for water source
- Mid Hudson News: Environmental groups, Hinchey, oppose proposed Ashokan pumped storage project (video)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… Continue reading Mid Hudson News: Environmental groups, Hinchey, oppose proposed Ashokan pumped storage project (video)
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection Submits Comments: Urges FERC to Deny PermitCity 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
- NY NJ Trail Conference: Proposed Hydroelectric Plant Threatens Catskills’ Ashokan ReservoirThe 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… 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… 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 ProjectOlivebridge, 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… 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
- Updated Maps from Geographer Elizabeth CruzNote 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… 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… 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… 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… Continue reading Catskill Center Statement on the Proposed Premium Energy Ashokan Pumped Storage Plan - Daily Freeman: Onteora school trustees seek intervener status in review of proposed electric plantBOICEVILLE, N.Y. – The Onteora Board of Education is seeking intervener status in the federal review of a proposed 2,800-megawatt Premium Energy Holdings electric generating plant at the Ashokan Reservoir. During a school board video conference … Continue reading Daily Freeman: Onteora school trustees seek intervener status in review of proposed electric plant
- Hudson Valley 360: Reservoir proposal called ‘devastating’Two quotes from this article: DEP was unaware of the proposal until recently, Director of Public Affairs Adam Bosch said. We were made aware of it last month when the Ulster County Planning Department sent us… Continue reading Hudson Valley 360: Reservoir proposal called ‘devastating’
- Town of Olive: Meeting on the Ashokan Reservoir ProjectThis 2:38min presentation on March 18th, 2021 is a great summary of the project, suggestions for filing comments to FERC, and follows with a Q&A. Posted on the Town of Olive Site. Download Slides (PDF)
- Daily Freeman: “Hurley urges public to stay on top of proposal for power station near Ashokan Reservoir “
HURLEY, N.Y. — Town officials are urging Hurley residents to participate in a videoconference presentation Thursday about the process that will be used by regulators to determine whether developers can move forward with a proposed underground… Continue reading Daily Freeman: “Hurley urges public to stay on top of proposal for power station near Ashokan Reservoir “ - Daily Freeman: Woodstock and NYC seek intervener status in electric plant reviewOfficials in Woodstock and New York City have filed requests seeking intervener status in federal permit proceedings for a proposed 2,800-megawatt electric generating plant at the Ashokan Reservoir. The documents were submitted last week, with both… Continue reading Daily Freeman: Woodstock and NYC seek intervener status in electric plant review
- Town of Olive: “FERC Proposal for the Ashokan Pumped Storage Hydro Facility “FERC Proposal for the Ashokan Pumped Storage Hydro Facility“ Note from the Town of Olive: The Town of Olive was recently made aware of a Preliminary Permit application entitled the Ashokan Pumped Storage Project currently before… Continue reading Town of Olive: “FERC Proposal for the Ashokan Pumped Storage Hydro Facility “