Back in November, EarthJustice won an appeal on the behalf of North Tonawanda residents against the Public Service Commission’s decision to approve the sale of the Fortistar gas power plant without taking the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act into account! This means, though, that the PSC needs to hear from us that we oppose this sale.

The PSC is accepting comments on this until July 28.
>>>>>> click HERE to submit a comment. <<<<<<

We urge pointing out the enormous energy demand, the lack of job creation, the noise pollution, and the predicted increases in air emissions.

Below is a template example comment which you can copy/paste. We strongly urge editing this template to add your personal thoughts.

I write to you as a resident of (place of residence) to request that the N.Y. Public Service Commission reject the Application for the Transfer of Ownership Interests from Fortistar North Tonawanda LLC (FNT) and Digihost International Inc. (Digihost) in a 55 Megawatt Natural Gas-fired Cogeneration Facility Located in North Tonawanda, NY because of the negative impacts on the community and its noncompliance with New York State law.

The power plant, serving a behind-the-meter bitcoin mining operation, has led to enormous increases in:

• Local air pollution
• Greenhouse gas pollution, 
• Noise pollution, and 
• Water pollution,

among other negative impacts. These operations adversely impact our community, and damage vital environmental resources and our health. 

I am also worried that my electricity and water rates will go up because of this facility’s increased operations. In places where other cryptocurrency mines have gone in, electricity prices have skyrocketed for households and small businesses. The Digihost facility uses municipal water and discharges into our public wastewater system, which now needs major upgrades. 

Additionally, I am worried that this facility, and others like it, will prevent the state from meeting its critical climate mandates established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

The PSC should deny the Application for the Transfer of Ownership Interests to protect the state and the community from the negative impacts from this facility’s operations.

Respectfully submitted,

Name

Please also send this blog post to folks in North Tonawanda specifically who you think would be interested in submitting a comment!

You can also click here to visit the “Matter Master” page and click the “Post Comment” button on the upper right. Submitted public comments are also available for review under the “Public Comments” tab.

On a related note, the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Study of cryptocurrency mining has been released! We urge taking a moment to read it by clicking here or visiting the DEC’s webpage (scroll down to the “Cryptocurrency Mining Law” header.) Comments are being accepted until September 25 by emailing climatechange@dec.ny.gov. We will be launching a letter campaign later this month, and in the meantime we urge attending one of the online hearings this month listed on the DEC’s webpage.

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We pause today to remember the victims of the white nationalist terrorist attack here in Buffalo on 5/14.

Roberta Drury, 32
Margus Morrison, 52
Andre Mackniel, 53
Aaron Salter, 55
Geraldine Talley, 62
Celestine Chaney, 65
Heyward Patterson, 67
Katherine Massey, 72
Pearl Young, 77
Ruth Whitfield, 86

We pledge that they will never be forgotten, that the explict white nationalist and white supremacist ideology that the shooter ascribed to will always be recognized, and that we will continue to fight back against all forms of white nationalism, including systemic bias and environmental racism.

Pray for the dead. Fight for the living.

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Click here to donate to our May Day Fundraiser!

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May Day Fundraiser: Help Us Raise $30,000 by May 1st

We have an urgent crisis on our hands. A federal attack on environmental justice is threatening the Clean Air Coalition’s ability to continue its critical work—and we need your help today.

For years, Clean Air has fought alongside our community to hold polluters accountable and protect our neighbors from toxic air and environmental harm. When traditional funders moved away from supporting environmental justice, we turned to federal funding, following advice from major institutions. Alongside our local partners, we secured a $20 million grant from the EPA—funding meant to help communities like ours prepare for the worsening effects of climate change.

But now, that funding is being blocked and withheld by the federal administration.

Our portion of these funds made up over half of our budget for 2025, and we had planned to draw from them by the end of March. Without immediate support, we face a serious cash flow crisis that threatens our ability to continue fighting for environmental justice.

That’s why we’re launching an emergency May Day Fundraiser—to raise $30,000 by May 1st.

Our work has never been more critical. Right now, we are fighting to stop cancer-causing chemicals from being released into our community by the Goodyear plant in Niagara Falls. We are defending our right to breathe clean air, even as institutions like the EPA are being defunded and gutted of experienced, nonpartisan scientists. These attacks are designed to make us feel powerless. But together, we are strong.

Will you stand with us today?

Your donation—whether it’s $25, $50, or more—will ensure that the Clean Air Coalition can continue protecting our community, holding polluters accountable, and fighting for a healthier future. 

Thank you for standing with us in this critical moment.         

In solidarity,
Chris, Bridge, Cindy, Gia, and Kiera
Clean Air Coalition

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has publicly released the Consent Order for Goodyear in Niagara Falls, and with this announcement also shared that they will be holding a Virtual Meeting this Thursday January 23 from 6-8pm.

Read the press release here, the Consent Order here, and register for the virtual meeting here.

Also be sure to join us at the community-led meeting on the following Thursday January 30 at 7pm at New Hope Baptist Church, 1122 Buffalo Ave in Niagara Falls.

Register by clicking here – registration is NOT required, but will help us better plan the event and ensure we have enough food for everyone.