Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
PO Box 38225
Albany, NY 12203

DEFEND CAYUGA LAKE
FRO M

BIG POLLUTERS

Photo: Bill Hecht

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6/28/17 10:23 AM

 For over four years the Cayuga coal plant has received $4 million a month from
ratepayers like you just to stay afloat. While the plant’s public subsidy is set to end
this June, the new owners, a NYC based hedge fund called the Blackstone group, have
publically stated that they will continue operating the plant indefinitely.
It begs the question, what were we paying for if the plant will suddenly be able to keep
operating without our money?
Not only has the plant needed you to be its economic savior in order to keep it running,
it has proven time and again it’s unable to operate safely. Twice in the last two years the
Cayuga plant has suffered from fires that required expensive repairs.
Additionally, samples submitted to the Department of Environmental Conservation show
Cayuga was dumping dangerous levels of mercury into Cayuga Lake from April to
September of 2016. At one point the plant emitted mercury at 20 times the federal limit.
Cayuga Lake is a critical resource for our region — and the Cayuga Plant is putting it at risk.
Governor Cuomo has promised to fully phase out coal in New York by 2020 and to
generate 50% of our electricity from renewable energy. Now is the time for him to make
good on these promises and stop coal from polluting our air and water by retiring the
Cayuga Power Plant.
Tear off the postcard below and send it back to tell Governor Cuomo it’s time to
responsibly retire the Cayuga coal plant, provide a transition plan for the community and
move New York past fossil fuels.

Governor Cuomo,
The Cayuga Power Plant is old, dirty, bankrupt and
unreliable, and has had to rely on ratepayer bailouts to stay
open for too long. The new owners have not been able
to ensure that this plant can operate responsibly or in an
environmentally safe manner. It is time for this plant to retire
and you can make it happen.
I’m concerned about the fires, the mercury pollution and the
potential waste of millions of New Yorker’s dollars in keeping
this plant afloat. New York can do better than continuing
to prop up a dirty and outdated coal plant that is spewing
mercury and other toxic pollutants into our air and water,
endangering the health of our families and our environment.
Governor Cuomo it’s time to make good on your pledge to
end all coal fired power generation in the state by 2020, and
generate 50% of our electricity from renewables by 2030.
Retire the Cayuga Power Plant and ensure a just transition
off fossil fuels for workers and the community.

Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter
PO Box 38225
Albany, NY 12203

Sincerely,
Name:
Signature:
Town:
Email:

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6/28/17 10:23 AM