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Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Danskammer reaches
agreement with labor union
Todd Diorio, President of the Hudson Valley Building
Trades, announced this week that the union has entered
into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
Danskammer Energy that secures more than 400 union
jobs for the region. The MOU will require the selected
project contractor to enter into a Project Labor Agreement
(PLA) or national construction agreement. The MOU also
focuses on a commitment to diversifying the workforce
for this project, attempting to increase opportunities for
women, minorities and veterans by providing them with
expanded career paths to good-paying construction jobs
through apprenticeships.
“Today’s announcement shows the great partnership
between the skilled construction workers that build our
area’s necessary infrastructure, and the business people
who create the opportunities for economic development.
By working together, a better quality of life is created for
all of us,” said Hudson Valley Building Trades President,
Todd Diorio.
Danskammer Energy owns and operates an existing
power plant in the Town of Newburgh. The company is
engaged in the Article 10 process with New York State
to undergo a plant repowering at the current site. The
project would create cleaner and more efficient power
generation, replacing the existing source of power, built
in the 1950s. The total price tag for the project is $450
million.
Danskammer Energy anticipates starting construction
activities in mid-to-late 2020. The project would create
union work for approximately 30 months.
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“This agreement will help ensure that Danskammer’s
repowering project will create opportunities for a diverse
workforce, made up of all members of our community,”
said Bill Reid, CEO of Danskammer Energy. “It’s also
important to us that the jobs that are created are good-
paying jobs with benefits, which are necessary to thrive
in New York today.”
The Building Trades’ Memorandum of Understanding
with Danskammer will create new pathways for good jobs
for New Yorkers by:
• Expanding apprenticeship opportunities for a more
diverse group of workers.
• Establishing accountability for Danskammer and
illustrating the company’s commitment to creating good-
paying local jobs.
• Creating mutually agreed upon costs, work rules,
and restrictions that protect both the workers and the
company
“Danskammer’s willingness to pursue a PLA is another
example of the company’s commitment to the local
community. The new facility will be more environmentally
friendly because it will be one of the most efficient plants
in New York using less natural gas, lowering emission
levels, and eliminating the use of Hudson River water for
cooling,” said Newburgh Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio.
“This project will generate much needed tax revenue for
the town of Newburgh and the hundreds of local union
members will stimulate the local economy while working
at the site.”
“I applaud the MOU, which shows that a commitment
has been made to local union labor.” said State Senator
James Skoufus, “including provisions to create job
opportunities for women, minorities and veterans for this
project.”
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson also voiced his
support for the project.
“The signing of the MOU is great news since I support
the Building Trades in their efforts. It shows all parties
involved are committed to construction jobs with good
wages, benefits, and diversity. I will continue to work with
all parties involved to bring about successful outcomes for
this project,” said Jacobson.
Danskammer Energy says the project includes a
reduction in current plant emissions by an estimated
80-90%, reducing use of natural gas by roughly 50%,
eliminating the use of Hudson River water to cool the
facility, and fast-start capability and increased reliability
which will help back up the state’s growing renewable
energy infrastructure. Once complete, the facility will
supply power to approximately 500,000 homes.
“The economic and environmental benefits of this
project are extensive. Not only does this project bring
jobs and helps to stimulate the local economy, but it also
creates a cleaner, more efficient and reliable source of
energy for the region,” said Mike Gaydos, Recording
Secretary for the Hudson Valley Building Trades.
P olice B lotter
Town of Lloyd
Ikara J. Leake Jr., 19, of Albany, was arrested
April 29 and charged with felony Burglary 2nd
degree, felony Grand Larceny 4th degree, felony
Forgery 2nd degree, felony Tampering with Physical
Evidence, Criminal Trespass 2nd degree and
Criminal Impersonation 2nd degree. Lloyd Police
responded to a report of a burglary in progress to
an apartment on Haviland Road in Highland. Leake
was found a short time later in the area and was
taken into custody without incident. Leake was
found to be wanted on a Violation of Probation
arrest warrant from the City of Albany Police
Department. He was arraigned before Town of Lloyd
Judge Elia and remanded to the Ulster County Jail
on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 insurance bond. He is
due back in Town Court May 2.
Sabrina M. Logan, 38, of Kingston, was arrested
April 28 and charged with Assault 3rd degree after
she was involved in a domestic dispute. She is
accused of striking another person in the back
causing minor injuries. She was arraigned before
Town of Lloyd Judge Elia and released. She is due
back in Town Court May 2.
Sabrina L. Castillo,19, of Fishkill, was arrested
April 27 and charged with Criminal Possession of a
Controlled Substance 7th degree. She was released
and is due in Town Court May 5.
Dylan C. Pascariello, 25, of Manhattan, NY was
arrested April 26 on a bench warrant for Conspiracy
5th degree and Trespass. He was arraigned before
Town of Lloyd Judge Rizzo and released. He is due
back in the Town Court May 7. Pascariello was then
turned over to the Town of Marlboro Police on a
bench warrant for felony Criminal Possession of
Stolen Property 4th degree.
Bruce D. Piggot Jr., 34, of Hyde Park, was
arrested April 25 on a bench warrant for Criminal
Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree. He
was arraigned before Town of Lloyd Judge Elia and
released. He is due back in Town Court May 23.
Ulster County Sheriff
On April 25, at about 7:00 a.m. deputies responded
to the area of Route 9W and Cross Street in Ulster
Park for a serious personal injury auto accident
involving a school bus and a motorcycle. Upon arrival
deputies found Corey Thomas, 26, of Kingston, with
serious injuries. He was flown by helicopter to Mid-
Hudson Regional Hospital for further treatment.
An investigation determined John Chichester,
70, of Port Ewen, was operating a 2017 school bus
and failed to properly yield the right of way while
entering Route 9W from Cross Street, whereby he
struck Mr. Thomas’ 2001 Honda motorcycle. Ten
Bailey Middle School students were riding the bus,
however no injuries to any students were reported.
Chichester was issued a traffic ticket for failing
to yield the right of way at an intersection. Thomas
was found to not be licensed to operate a motorcycle
and was also found to have been riding it without
insurance and without it being registered. He was
also charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.