December 4, 2009

For Release:     Immediately

Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation is conducting a siren test of the Sturgeon Pool Hydroelectric plant located in the Town of Esopus (Rifton), Ulster County, on Thursday, December 10, 2009, beginning at about 10 a.m. and lasting approximately one minute. The siren test will be held in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Ulster County Emergency Management, and is part of an annual drill of the Emergency Action Plan for the plant.

The sirens are located in the upper portion of the waterway in the vicinity of the dam, and will be audible to residents near and downstream along the Wallkill River and Roundout Creek. In the event of an actual emergency, residents in this area should proceed immediately to higher elevations and away from the river and creek banks.

Background:

The Sturgeon Pool plant is one of the original hydroelectric facilities providing electricity to the Hudson Valley. The facility is continuously monitored and inspected regularly, and has been continuously maintained since its construction.

The dam is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). An Emergency Action Plan was developed under the auspices of the DEC by Central Hudson and local law enforcement and rescue agencies to provide a coordinated response in the unlikely event of an emergency. 

If an actual emergency were to take place, the sirens will activate and residents downstream from the dam are requested to evacuate and move to higher elevations. Local emergency response personnel will provide additional instructions and assistance.

Residents may contact Mark Mulpeter at Central Hudson, (845) 334-3513, for more information about the Emergency Action Plan and drill.

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