VIDEO: Town of Ulster Citizens tell Elected Officials and GlidePath “We don’t want this project.”

“You’re adding fossil fuel infrastructure. NYS and Ulster County is committed to not adding fossil fuel infrastructure, yet your coming into our community and our state and you’re telling us now that we need you to put in increased fossil fuel infrastructure, a 50,000 gallon diesel tank? and fracked gas? That is not what NY voters have asked for from their government….. we don’t want it. We don’t need it.”    – Town of Ulster Citizen, Ulster County

Last night, the Town of Ulster’s Senior Center was filled to capacity –  mostly with Town of Ulster residents –  to learn more about the Midwest company GlidePath’s proposed project called the “Lincoln Park Grid Support System”, a natural gas power plant in the Town of Ulster.

Based upon statements made by citizens, it was clear there was a great deal of skepticism regarding the safety and even the need for such a project in the area.

Established in 2013, GlidePath has ten renewable projects in its portfolio. The Lincoln Park Grid Support System project, a 20-megawatt hybrid natural gas (diesel back-up) and battery generation system/power plant proposed for the Town of Ulster, would be the company’s first gas-fired project.

Town of Ulster citizens took a show of hands to see who was in favor of the project and who was not. Only one hand in support was raised. Peter Rood, Chief Development Officer of GlidePath stated that it would be up to Town of Ulster elected officials to decide whether or not the project would be built.

Begins at:  23:56 – 25:00
An excerpt from VIDEO Part 2

“…all of our opinions do count for you to make a decision about moving forward….take a poll so you are well informed on who wants this project in the room…just to see.” ToU Citizen

“I don’t think this will advance the conversation.” Peter Rood, GlidePath

“…but you said our opinion counts.” ToU Citizen

“They do, but I’m not going to count them though.” Peter Rood, GlidePath

VIEW PART 1:  Video of GlidePath Presentation

Some Key Moments 

1. “How much of the time will the gas portion be running. If you’re running 24 hours, your emissions are going to be a lot higher than your numbers.” 23:35 – 25:05
2. “You’re adding fossil fuel infrastructure. NYS and Ulster County is committed to not adding fossil fuel infrastructure, yet your coming into our community and our state and you’re telling us now that we need you to put in increased fossil fuel infrastructure, a 50,000 gallon diesel tank? and fracked gas? That is not what NY voters have asked for from their government….. we don’t want it. We don’t need it.”    25:00 – 25:59
3. What’s the economic benefit to the Town of Ulster?  34:25 – 36:15
4. Jennifer Metzger, Citizens For Local Power explains why this project is being proposed in the Town of Ulster.   40:05 – 41:20
5. Have you discussed this proposal with the school (Chambers)?  47:45 – 50:05
6. Emission stacks height.  54:39 – 55:16
7. “Many of us have stopped listening, because we are not on board with this….if I were working for this company, I’d have to go back to my boss and say ‘this community wouldn’t even let us finish our presentation and what does that say?  Your graphics show us solar, wind, hybrid, reduction…this is not a solar project. We are don’t feel like we are being told the truth.”    55:19 – 58:45

VIEW PART 2:  Video of GlidePath Presentation

Some Key Moments

1. There is a Principal Aquifer located underneath the proposal.  23:34 –  23:49
2. Citizens raise hands to oppose the project.  23:56 – 25:00
3. “So far, we don’t think any significant impacts under SEQRA law exists”  32:38 – 32:50
4. How long have you been talking to the town?  38:20 – 38:46
5. Next steps in SEQRA?    38:48 – 39:24