Deconstruction Continues at the Poletti Power Plant in Astoria

The slow deconstruction of the Poletti Power Plant, in Astoria, continues. According to a press release/update sent out by Senator Michael Gianaris, “For the first time in recent memory, smokestacks have been eliminated from western Queens after the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has removed the second of the power plant’s two smokestacks, as deconstruction of the entire facility continues.” The New York Power Authority announced plans to deconstruct the aging, inefficient power plant back in 2012. The work began in 2013 with a plan to be completed by December 31st, 2014. The process in not like a demolition; it’s rather a slow de-construction in a manner similar to reverse construction.

Here’s what Senator Gianaris had to say about the progress: “The smokestacks of the Poletti power plant were symbols of the pollution that haunted our neighborhood for too long, and I am happy to see them go. The progress we have made improving our air quality is a key reason so many New Yorkers are coming to western Queens to live and work. More remains to be done in terms of rooting out pollution, but the deconstruction of the Poletti plant is a major milestone in taking our neighborhoods from being plagued by smokestacks to the family-friendly communities full of green space and parks to which we aspire.”

Photo via Queens Buzz