T IMES
SOUTHERN
Proposed
power plant
prompts
more debate
By MARK REYNOLDS
[email protected]
Last week the City of Beacon
hosted a public forum on a proposal by
Danskammer Energy to build a new $400
million natural gas-fired power plant
to replace the 1950s era facility in the
Town of Newburgh. The new plant, slated
to be built adjacent to the old plant at
the Hudson River, would produce 550
Mega Watts of power and would run
24/7 approximately 70% of the time,
as opposed to the old plant that has a
capacity of 537 MW and runs less than
5% of the year only to meet peak power
demands in the heat of summer and the
cold of winter.
Beacon City Council member Amber
Grant said after the council held a public
hearing on this matter they passed a
resolution against the proposed power
plant.
“The message is we can do better.
We do not need yet another fossil fuel
burning plant in the Hudson Valley,” she
said.
Grant said the negative vote was
due to, “a lack of demonstrable need for
the plant, which does take into account
the closure of Indian Point; the impact
of increased ozone causing emissions
and the impact of those emissions upon
climate change and people’s health...we
Continued on page 5
ULSTER
Vol. 16, No. 36
3
SEPTEMBER 4 - 10, 2019
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Page 12
SERVING HIGHLAND, MARLBOROUGH AND PLATTEKILL
Quintessential public servant
Community mourns the death of Senator Bill Larkin
Retired State Senator Bill Larkin,
whose distinguished political career
spanned nearly half a century, died
Saturday at the age of 91.
His death was announced Sunday
afternoon by his family.
“It is with a heavy but full heart that
we announce our beloved Bill Larkin
has passed away,” read a statement
released by former Aide Brian Maher.
“America and the State of New York
have lost a dedicated public servant,
soldier and statesman. Our family lost
a husband, father, grandfather, great-
grandfather and so much more. We
appreciate your thoughts, prayers and
best wishes. It is our hope that all of
the people whose lives Bill touched in
some way over the years will join us
in celebrating his life over the coming
days.”
Larkin, who retired from public office
on Dec. 31, 2018, had the distinction of
being the last World War II veteran to
serve in the New York State Legislature.
Larkin represented the 39th District
in the New York State Senate from 1991
until his retirement in 2018; the district
includes the Towns of Plattekill and
Marlborough in Ulster County, eastern
and central Orange County, and a small
portion of northern Rockland County.
He previously served as New Windsor
town supervisor and as a member of the
New York State Assembly.
“Senator Bill Larkin committed his
life to serving his community and his
country with valor and integrity. For
decades he fought for his constituents,
including those in Ulster County,” said
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan.
“He was a committed public servant
Facebook photo
Senator Bill Larkin (seated) with Town of Marlborough Supervisor Al Lanzetta.
who represented his district, state
and country with honor and will be
sincerely missed. On behalf of Ulster
County, I send my deepest condolences
to the Larkin family.”
Marlborough Town Supervisor Al
Lanzetta, echoed Ryan’s thoughts.
“I am so sorry to hear of the passing
of our good friend, Senator Larkin,”
Lanzetta wrote on Facebook. “He was
CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE - WWW.SUTIMESONLINE.COM
the perfect example of what a life
devoted to public service looks like. I
am going to miss him.”
His senate successor, James Skoufis,
offered these thoughts on Sunday
afternoon:
“Foremost, I extend my heartfelt
condolences to Senator Larkin’s
family, especially his beloved wife,
Continued on page 3