Kingston, NY – The Ulster County Legislature submitted a letter, signed by all 23 members, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as official Public Comment in the matter of Premium Energy Holdings LLC Preliminary Permit application for the Ashokan Pumped Storage Project.

In their letter the Legislature highlighted numerous concerns by residents, elected officials, environmental professionals and community stakeholders including: flooding of residential communities, damage to trout spawning areas, blockage of popular hiking trails, encroachments on “Forever Wild” lands and unknown and unexplored effects on underground aquifers and private wells. Chief among concerns was the lack of notice that a project was being proposed. 

“Ulster County's mountain communities have understood and willingly participated in supplying the best water in the world to the best city in the world. We're proud of that legacy,” stated Legislator John Parete (D-Denning, Hardenburgh, Olive & Shandaken). “This proposal was floated because of our unique location and topography. From the beginning the plan was poorly thought out and poorly presented and most certainly lacked transparency.”

The letter was sent directly to FERC Director Vince Yearick, as well as the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and New York City Department of Environmental Protection who issued their own opposition to the project on April 8 and requesting regulators deny the project.

The full letter from the Ulster County Legislature is appended to this release.