Construction of the controversial Cricket Valley (CVE) power plant came to a temporary halt on November 16 when concerned community members protested the fracked-gas project through acts of civil disobedience. Twenty-nine protesters were arrested.

A tractor blockade organized by the community group ResistCVE was put in place early in the morning. Additionally, four climbers scaled a 275-foot-tall smokestack and stayed at the top for 12 hours. A crowd of supporters and a small contingent of police were present from early in the morning, with dozens of state troopers arriving by midday. All those arrested were released the same evening.

The 1100-megawatt plant, which would be the largest fracked gas plant in the Northeast, was proposed in 2009. Opponents of the plant point to studies and research indicating that burning fracked gas/methane has negative effects on the climate, air quality, community health, water supply and surrounding ecosystems.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has ignored requests for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to determine how various aspects of the environment and community will be affected by a new project or action.

“If Governor Cuomo is serious about meeting the climate goals mandated by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, he must shut down the Cricket Valley fracked gas power plant,” says Laura Shindell, New York organizer at Food & Water Action. “Cuomo cannot simultaneously consider himself a climate leader while allowing such a massive, polluting power plant to be built and come online. Governor Cuomo must shut down Cricket Valley and move New York to 100 percent renewable energy.” 

Concerned residents can contact Cuomo at 877.235.6537.