County approves Calpine option discussion

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO — Despite the vocal appeals of some ten area residents and project neighbors, the Sullivan County Legislature on June 20 approved what was termed  a “good faith” resolution that would bind the county to negotiations for the sale of property near the county’s Monticello landfill to the California based Calpine Corporation.

The vote was unanimous.

Calpine has presented plans for a $600 million gas-fired power generation plant that would be located on the property. Before beginning an exhaustive state permitting process, Calpine asked the county for a resolution guaranteeing Sullivan would eventually consider the land purchase. “If we do negotiate an option, another resolution comes back here for the agreement,” County Attorney Ira Cohen said.

The opponents spoke of concerns about air pollution, increased truck traffic and decreased property values.

Sullivan County Partnership president Michael Sullivan was the only speaker supporting the project. But, Sullivan said if the upcoming state review showed anything unsuitable, the “Partnership will oppose it as well.”

The state Article 10 review is expected to take a year or more to complete.