Greenidge Generating Station
Greenidge Generating Station is located on the western shore of Seneca Lake, just south of the Village of Dresden in the Town of Torrey, Yates County. In 2016, the plant was converted from a primarily coal-fired plant to a primarily natural-gas fired plant.
The facility is operated by Greenidge Generation, LLC ("Greenidge") under a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the New York State Public Service Commission on September 16, 2016. The plant operates generating Unit 4 which has a capacity of approximately 107 megawatts (MWs). Operation of the facility is also subject to several DEC permits, which are each described below along with their status.
Current Operations and DEC Permits
Air Title IV (Acid Rain) and Title V, DEC Permit Nos. 8-5736-00004/00016 & /00017
The Air Title V and Title IV (Acid Rain) permits were issued on September 7, 2016, and currently expire on September 6, 2021. These permits authorize the operation of the Greenidge Generating Station as a primarily natural gas-fired plant, with a generating capacity of approximately 107 MW. The maximum heat input is limited to 1,117 million Btus per hour. A permit renewal application was submitted to DEC and Air Title IV and Title V Permits have been drafted. DEC released the draft Air Title V and Title IV permits for public review and comment on Sept. 8, and is holding virtual public comment hearings at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 13, 2021. The deadline for comments on the draft permits is Oct. 22, 2021.
DEC has not made a determination regarding the final issuance of permits to Greenidge Generation. While sufficient information has been submitted to begin the required public review, at this time the applicant has not demonstrated compliance with the requirements of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, including requirements regarding greenhouse gas emissions. Permit renewal documents and additional details are available.
Comments on this project should be submitted in writing to DEC by Oct. 22, 2021, by email [email protected] or by mail to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Permits, ATTN: Chris Hogan, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750.
SPDES, DEC Permit No. 8-5736-00004/00001 (NY-001325)
The State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit was issued effective October 1, 2017, and currently expires on September 30, 2022. The permit authorizes the discharges of approximately 134 MGD of cooling water effluent, as well as boiler blowdown, to Keuka Lake Outlet, and stormwater and other treated and industrial effluents to Seneca Lake and groundwater. The SPDES permit contains requirements to address thermal impacts and a "Best Technology Available" (BTA) determination under the Clean Water Act to minimize impacts to aquatic organisms.
Water Withdrawal, DEC Permit No. 8-5736-00004/00015
The Water Withdrawal Permit was issued on September 11, 2017, and currently expires on September 30, 2022. The permit authorizes the facility to withdraw 139,248,000 gallons per day from Seneca Lake for processes associated with power production. A renewal application is due on or about August 31, 2022.
State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)
DEC conducted a comprehensive assessment of all relevant impacts for the conversion and operation of the existing Greenidge and SEQRA requirements for this facility. After review of the relevant environmental impacts, DEC issued a SEQR negative declaration in 2015 (later amended in 2016), determining that an environmental impact statement was not required.
Additional Information
For documents about Greenidge Generation, please see above or view DECinfo Locator (please search for Plant Rd, Penn Yan, New York in the search bar). For additional information not related to public comments on the proposed permit renewal, contact [email protected].