Tearing down the smoke stack from the old ANSWERS plant

I am glad they are tearing down the smoke stack from the old ANSWERS plant in Albany 🏭 …

It’s a sign of a commitment at one level that the state is moving away somewhat from fossil fuels over the next few decades and not doubling down on a new natural gas co-generation plant.

While the new plant may have reduced net carbon emissions in the short run and it would have increased local toxic emissions in Sheridan Hollow. But just as importantly, it would have locked the Empire Plaza into a major fossil fuel investment that would mean carbon emissions would be stuck at the same level for decades to come.

For now, the tearing down of the ANSWERS plant smoke stack is mostly symbolic. The smoke stack has been smoke free for over a decade as the price of heavy oil has made it unecononic to operate compared to the natural gas burners. It’s been 25 years since ANSWERS last burned shredded garbage as the black snow and pollution it produced with its primative pollution controls. But at least it sends a message about the future.

Does anything really change by tearing down the smoke stack? No. But maybe it’s a step towards a cleaner future, one that invests in renewables and not fossil fuels.