What Was That Heavy Black Smoke Belching From Long Island City Ravenwood Power Plant Smokestack Across East River Next To Roosevelt Island Last Night? Owner Rise Light & Power Explains And Describes Transformation Plan For 100% Renewable Energy

Last night a Tipster sent in this photo of heavy black smoke

belching from the Rise Light & Power Ravenswood Generating Station smokestack in Long Island City across the East River from Roosevelt Island.

Today, I asked Rise Light & Power:

There was heavy black smoke coming from the Rise Power & Light smokestack yesterday which raised concerns from Roosevelt Island residents and others.

Does Rise Light & Power have any comment on the matter? What was the cause of the smoke and do you have any response from nearby residents concerned about the health issues associated with the smoke?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roosevelt (@rooseveltislander)

Smoke from @RiseLight Ravenswood Power Plant in Long Island City across the East River from Roosevelt Island. What’s happening @RiseLight https://t.co/fCu4Z5msJq pic.twitter.com/NUGBB9a5IZ

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) July 20, 2023

Among the Roosevelt Islander Instagram comments about the black smoke were:

• How do we know all these chemicals will not cause cancer in the long run ?
• My health issues are going absolutely haywire. No I know why! Thought it was all from Canada fires… holy smokes!
• Add this to the Canadian wildfires smoke … really bad

Rise Light & Power Vice President of External Affairs Sid Nathan answered:

Rise Light & Power is committed to providing reliable power to New York City while we work to achieve the State’s nation-leading goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040. These operations are subject to rigorous environmental standards and permits, which include stringent regulations on ‘opacity,’ the technical term for whether the combustion exhaust is visible to the human eye. 

As with all environmental matters, we strive to meet or exceed the conditions of our permits. Due to a simultaneous malfunction of two separate pieces of equipment, Ravenswood Unit 10 exceeded its permitted opacity for a period of approximately 12 minutes. 

We are grateful to the working women and men of Ravenswood, proud members of the UWUA Local 1-2, who responded as quickly as possible to reduce opacity and still maintain reliable power supply. 

We have already self-reported this event to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Looking ahead, we recognize the need to transition to more sustainable forms of energy. That’s why we’ve committed to Renewable Ravenswood, our vision for retiring all 1,800 MW of our 1960’s-vintage fossil generators and replacing them with renewable energy sources. Our plan and new virtual experience for residents is available online at Renewable Ravenswood.

Learn more about Renewable Ravenswood.

A clean energy future demands bold action. That’s why we’re proud of our #RenewableRavenswood vision to transform New York City's largest fossil fuel plant into a new clean energy hub. pic.twitter.com/EnYanZqDFi

— Rise Light & Power (@RiseLight) October 27, 2022

Very proud to announce that we have major plans for #OffshoreWind as the next step in bringing about a #RenewableRavenswood. https://t.co/Zmas4Lmkvu

— Clint Plummer (@clint_plummer) August 18, 2022

For 40 years, Ravenswood has been a part of Genevieve’s family, and Genevieve has been of ours. As a second-generation employee, she has grown her career from intern to supervisor, and is part of the team that will help build a better future here in Queens. pic.twitter.com/kg6NpwiBsF

— Rise Light & Power (@RiseLight) July 14, 2023

We are excited #AttentiveEnergyOne is the gateway to a Renewable Ravenswood! We launched a new virtual experience w/ our partners @RiseLight to educate the community on our #cleanenergy efforts and dive into #AE1 and the process of bringing #OSW to NY!⚡🗽https://t.co/7rPEw7xxAD https://t.co/Kmjt5MgV9P pic.twitter.com/zR7JL31zrD

— Attentive Energy (@ThisIsAttentive) July 19, 2023

“[...] The whole thing is going to be converted from pollution-creating plant, to a clean energy plant which is fantastic story of transformation” - @SecGranholm @MSNBC @SRuhle pic.twitter.com/Bp6Vq1SmNk

— Rise Light & Power (@RiseLight) April 13, 2023

Roosevelt Island Residents Get No Relief For Years Of Very Loud Noise Pollution Coming From Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant Across East River In Long Island City - Can Anybody Help?

A Roosevelt Island resident asked today:

Did anyone else hear the loud, continuous rushing noise several days ago which seemed to be coming from the off island power plant? We assumed it was coal or some other solid material running through the outside conveyor belt, perhaps into a large cargo ship. It was very loud however and lasted on and off for hours.

Others did hear the noise. The Twitterverse recorded the noise coming from the Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant

 Image From Google Maps

last Saturday evening.

What is that very very loud noise disturbing Roosevelt island residents from across East River at Big Allis power plant in Long Island city @RIOCny @NYPD114Pct @BenKallos https://t.co/GF3MhJSx5P

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 13, 2020

So happy to be facing the Manhattan side now. Years of that noise was enough! Felt pretty bad for those new Riverwalk buildings that went up recently, knowing they were in direct line. What an unwelcome surprise for those who moved in.

— Mary Kay Makanjuola (@themakastyle) September 14, 2020

There's consistent noise issues from Ravenswood that regularly affect #rooseveltlandings residents, countless 311 complaints go nowhere & kallos and co refuse to acknowledge the issue. A huge powerplant sits directly across from us and we have zero access to info/direct contacts.

— Mta sucks (@Mtasucks1) September 13, 2020

Thanks for bringing this up. It was indeed loud as hell. Please stop!

— Squall (@sitan_yang) September 14, 2020

The loud noise from the Ravenswood Power Plant has been bothering Roosevelt Island residents on and off for years.  In July 2019, former Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal thought the problem was solved:

... Several people have investigated the noise complaint and the power station believes the noise is coming from a faulty compressor that is scheduled to be repaired by the end of this week. Good news!...

and also in 2019 a Ravenswood spokesperson added:

... As best as we can tell, the noise came from a vacuum truck, which can be noisy. This is not frequent, but we have now advised the contractor that this work should only be performed during daylight hours going forward.

This specific information is very helpful for us to fix these situations. We appreciate the opportunity to address them....

But it was not solved and the noise pollution from Power Plant has been going on since at least 2011.

The Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant across the East River from Roosevelt Island is owned by LS Power, having purchased the 1.1 million square foot Long Island City facility in 2017 from TransCanada for $167 million according to The Real Deal.

Roosevelt Island Resident Asks What Was That Loud Noise Last Night Heard And Felt From Across East River In Long Island City Near Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant?

A Roosevelt Island resident asked this morning:

Can anyone comment on the loud explosion and bright light that happened at the power plant across the river last night? Anyone that lives on the far East side of the island near the plant would have heard/seen/felt it but the news is not covering!

Image From Google Maps

I asked on Roosevelt Islander Facebook Page if others heard similar noise.

Responses include:

Yes I heard it and my lights flickered! I thought it was about to be a Blackout!

and:

I saw/heard that and thought it must be lightning, which seemed odd since it didn't seem to be storming otherwise...

and:

heard it too

and:

I heard it looked out, looked over to see if there was an explosion in the energy plant, but nothing! What happened, not first time that has happened.

In response to my inquiry, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Chief Jack McManus replied:

There was a loud noise, not an explosion, last night that we believe came from a garbage truck that dropped a container. It quite possibly could have come from the Ravenswood plant however none of our officers witnessed that and a check of our logs shows no calls from any residents. We checked the sea walls on the east side of the Island and everything appeared to be in order.

I asked a Transcanada representative if the noise came from the Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant across the East River. The Transcanada rep answered:

The issue is with Con Edison property and equipment. TransCanada's property and equipment were not involved or affected.

I asked Con Ed for comment. No response yet but will update when more information available.

UPDATE 8:10 PM - According to a Con Ed spokesperson:

... our Vernon Substation just across the water in Queens had an incident that had the FDNY response. It was smokey and some damage to the substation. But no one was hurt, no loss of power and no evacuations. It occurred at about the same time.

Seems reasonable to think that is what folks on RI heard and experienced.

Big Alice Nano Brewery Open In Long Island City Close To Roosevelt Island Bridge - Give It A Taste, Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk Stout May Still Be Available

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reports a nano-brewery open very close to Roosevelt Island in Long Island City - Big Alice Brewing.

Image From Big Alice Brewing

@sheriffmitchell @minkewales @JuniorWales Ooh look, a proper nano-brewery near the Roosevelt Island tramway! http://t.co/YDg3HggV4Q :)

— Paul J White (@PJ) May 4, 2015

Big Alice Brewing is not near the Tram but just a few blocks from the Roosevelt Island Bridge on Vernon B'lvd and 43 road.

Image From CBS New York You Tube Video

According to Big Alice Brewing:

Big Alice Brewing is a nano-brewery which means each batch is very small, about 1/3 of a barrel. This size gives us the flexibility to be creative and experiment with different styles and within each style.

The result is an ever evolving line of unique and interesting beers.

ALLIS or ALICE

Big Allis is a giant electric power generator in Long Island City originally commissioned by ConEd and built by the Allis-Chalmers Corporation in 1965. At that time, it was the world's first MILLION-KILOWATT unit...big enough to serve 3,000,000 people. It is located on 36th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard. Its main fuel is natural gas.

Big Alice Brewing is a very small nano-brewery in Long Island City originally commissioned by home-brewers in 2013. At that time, it was the city's second smallest brewery…small enough to brew 10 gallon batches. It is located on 43rd Road and Vernon Boulevard. Its main fuel is also natural gas.

NOW OPEN

WEDNESDAY 5-9pm

THURSDAY 5-9pm

FRIDAY 5-10pm

SATURDAY 12-10pm

SUNDAY 12-8pm

Shhh...Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk Stout is now available in our taproom. Don't tell anyone. #thinkNYdrinkNY #drinklocal #LIC
Posted by Big Alice Brewing on Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Yum.

Here's more on our Roosevelt Island Long Island City neighbor, Big Alice Nano Brewery.





Give it a try.

UPDATE 5/20 - The Roosevelt Island Guzzler has been trying out Big Alice Brewing and reports:

I've been haunting Big Alice for a while..

Image From Island Guzzler

Kyle and John at the bar

Image From Island Guzzler

serving up some refreshingly

Image From Island Guzzler

unique brew.

Red Tailed Hawk Rescued Inside Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant Across East River From Roosevelt Island - Chases Pigeon Down Smokestack And Got Stuck

Roosevelt Island has had its share of Red Tail Hawks sightings, but so far none have required rescuing like this Hawk

Image From JPhillipOBrien2006 The Origin Of Species Blog

that got trapped inside the Big Allis TransCanada Ranvenswood Power Plant across the East River from Roosevelt Island.

Image Of Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant Seen From Roosevelt Island

Watch A Red-Tailed Hawk Get Rescued From Inside of A Queens Power Plant http://t.co/keIZoy5hXs
— ANIMALNewYork (@ANIMALNewYork) March 31, 2015

Animal New York reports today:

... bird blogger Yojimbot recently rescued a red-tailed hawk that got trapped inside of the Ravenswood Generating Station, also known as Big Allis, on Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City. It’s a power plant capable of generating 2,480 megawatts of electricity, and no place for a hawk.

The adult male red-tail chased a pigeon down a smokestack and became trapped in a small room near the exhaust turbine...

According to Yojimbot's March 27 The Origin of Species blog report:

... As we scale up and approach the bird, it was extremely agitated. Instead of trying to chase the bird around the small enclosure, I just waited for it to flop in front of me and threw a towel over it. This worked but the sly bird squirmed between the planks and down into the enclosure beneath us. Damn! After composing myself, we looked for a way into that area but there was none, so I squeezed in between the same gap and got down to where the now furious bird was. Again I got the towel and threw it at the bird, which was now on its back. It tried to foot the towel but missed and instead grabbed its own wing. I then quickly corralled the bird but it wouldnt release its own body. Not wanting to risk further injury I climbed back up and put the hawk in the box we had. Whew...now to get down without injuring ourselves or the bird. We took our time and all 4 of us worked together to safely get back outside....

Click here to read the full Big Allis Hawk Rescue account from Yojimbot.

Here's video of the Hawk's rescue and release.

TransCanada Ravenswood Power Plant Water Gushing High Above Ground Into East River Across From Roosevelt Island Today - It Was A Fire Drill

Earlier today, water was gushing high above the ground from the TransCanada Ravenswood Power Plant

Image From Judy Berdy

and into the East River

Image From Judy Berdy

across from Roosevelt Island.

According to a TransCanada Spokesperson:

The water was FDNY fire system testing.

Black Billowing Smoke Coming From Transcanada Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant In Long Island City Causing Concern On Roosevelt Island

“@jtcera: wondering about black smoke coming from Roosevelt island NYC. This is the source pic.twitter.com/nA2VBpXwXm” @piersmorgan
— miguel rivera (@mick271) June 24, 2013

About 4:15 this afternoon a very heavy,

scary looking, black smoke was coming out

 Image From Adib Mansour

of the Transcanada Big Allis Power Plant in Long Island City causing concern among Roosevelt Island residents and others.

It lasted for about 25 minutes

Image From Judy Berdy

and then

stopped.

A Roosevelt Island resident reports being told by the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department that debris got struck in the smokestack causing the black smoke but that it is safe now.

UPDATE 6/25:

Image From Eva Bosbach

Roosevelt Island's Assembly Member Micah Kellner forwards this response from Transcanada's Community Relations Coordinator Sharon Scott:

I appreciate that your office reached out and inquired about the smoke situation at the plant today. Below is a brief description of the day’s events. I hope this is helpful in bringing comfort to Assembly member Kellner’s constituents and our New York City neighbors.

At approximately 4:30 pm ET, TransCanada's Ravenswood Power facility lost one of the eight boiler combustion fans in an operating unit. As a result of the loss of this combustion fan, black smoke was present in the stack and people would have seen this for a short period of time. Corrective action was taken immediately and the situation is under control.

There is no risk to human health and our personnel are investigating what took place. Until we can determine what caused the fan to stop and safely make repairs, this individual unit will be operating under a limited load. However, the Ravenswood facility has the ability to deliver additional power from our reserve units on site, which will allow us to meet our commitments to our customers in the New York City area.

Roosevelt Island's interim Public Safety Department Director John McManus told me last night that the cause of the black smoke was debris getting caught in the smokestack.

Loud Noises Still Coming From Transcanada Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant Keeping Roosevelt Island Residents Awake At Night - Are Earplugs The Only Solution For An Uninterrupted Night Of Sleep

 Image Of Transcanada Big Allis Ravenwood Power Plant Across East River From Roosevelt Island

Commenting on the What's On Your Roosevelt Island Mind thread earlier today, a frustrated Roosevelt Landings/Eastwood resident, Ms Cunningham reports:

Once again excessive noise from Ravenswood Power Plant for the past 36 hours straight & still going. All those in Eastwood with Queens facing windows have no chance of sleep. Are there really not any noise related laws that can assist us in reining this in?

Loud noises coming from the power plant is nothing new. Reported last December on the loud noises, sometimes deafening, coming from the Transcanada Big Allis Ravenswood power plant in Long Island City:

 An update to posts earlier this week on the deafening noise that woke up and frightened many Roosevelt Island residents coming from Transcanada's Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant steam release early Monday morning at around 6 AM....

Responding to last December's steam release from the Transcanada Big Allis plant, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and other Roosevelt Island elected officials wrote to Transcanada officials urging Transcanada to take:

... steps to mitigate noise disturbances resulting from your facility operations and to improve communication processes with the surrounding community...

Full letter is here.

I am not aware of any response from Transcanada to the letter from Roosevelt Island elected officials but have asked Borough President Stringer's office if there has been one. Will update when responses is received.

Cheshire Kitty responds to Ms Cunningham frustration with a solution - earplugs:

Probably "revving up" because of the big demand for power due to the excessive heat.  The scrubbing noise is even louder, but doesn't last that long.   We deal with it, just as folks in LIC deal with it; there is also a big plant in N. Astoria.  Forget about the pollution that comes out of the stacks - which is why the stacks are so tall.  The thought it the pollution is wafted away from populated areas - hah!  This is the trade-off of not having to pay as much in rent as in Manhattan, or in fact, many other areas that do not face a huge electrical generating plant.  Still, we have to thank Con Ed (or whichever company currently controls Ravenswood):  Without them, there would be no air-conditioning, no refrigeration, no fans.. and in the winter, no electrical baseboard heating.  A handy "fix" for power plant noise:  Earplugs!

Here's the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) discussion of issue from December 2011 Common Council Meeting.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Discuss Deafening Noise Coming From Transcanada Ravenswood Power Plant Steam Release Last Monday - Was Steam Release Planned Or Not, Community Liaison Sought To Prevent Future Occurrences

An update to posts earlier this week on the deafening noise that woke up and frightened many Roosevelt Island residents coming from Transcanada's Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant steam release early Monday morning at around 6 AM.

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) December 7 meeting included a discussion of this incident. RIRA President Matt Katz reported that the Ravenswood Power Plant's previous owner, Keyspan, had a community liaison who was able to limit the planned steam releases to the daylight hours. At the present time, no similar Transcanada community representative exists. Mr. Katz, along with Roosevelt Island elected officials led by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer are attempting to contact Transcanada officials to prevent a similar occurrence happening again.

Concern was expressed during the discussion regarding the planned steam release at such an early hour and if it was not a planned steam release, what was the reason for it happening.

Here's the RIRA discussion on incident.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Other Roosevelt Island Elected Officials Seek Explanation From Transcanada For Deafening Noise Resulting From Release Of Steam Early Monday Morning - Better Communication For Future Incidents Too

 Image Of Transcanada Big Allis Ravenwood Power Plant Across East River From Roosevelt Island

As reported in this post last Monday:

Some Roosevelt Island residents were woken up and startled early this morning at around 6 AM  by the sound of what appeared to be a loud explosion. One resident sent me this message asking:

Any idea what this deafening jet engine sound is coming from the bridge/tram area is at 6 am? Been going on for 30 min.

The NYC Office of Emergency Management discovered the source of the deafening noise:

Source of loud noise near Vernon/40th Ave, QN was pressure relief valve at Ravenswood Power Plant. No public/environmental hazard.

Commenting on the post, Riradu shares sound level measurement of the noise:

Steam is released everyday. Obviously, this morning's venting of hot steam wasn't "business as usual" at all (NY1 even mentioned a transformer might have been involved). It sounded like a jet was taking off from Ravenswood Generating Station. No kidding. The level of that noise reached 94dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level), on the West side of the island. I attached the figure measured at 6:39AM. I live on this island for 25 years and I don't remember another steam release of this intensity, at any time of the day.

In the light of some other recent events concerning the plant (and  lack of subsequent info about actual causes - I understand that too much info is not very healthy), all I can hope is that our safety is being really and seriously taken care of by all responsible factors... 

 Image From Riradu

and Mookie reports:

Those of us who live in the courtyard bldgs are constantly assaulted by noise beginning in the evening and lasting all night. Calls to 311 are useless. This a major health hazard and would definitely be classified as noise pollution. What happened Monday morning was absolutely not "harmless" as RIOC and Trans Canada describe it. It was ear shattering and terrifying. The fact that this was a planned release and they weren't required to make the surrounding communities aware that this was going to happen is insanity. It is lunacy that the OEM didn't measure decibel levels and issue fines and warnings. Think about it - ice cream trucks are under noise restrictions regarding the little tune they play and this plant can emit a noise that can be heard for miles at 5:30am and nothing is done??

I'm hoping that the dangerous noise levels Monday morning may unify RI residents to take action. I've contacted Scott Stringers office and spoken with Jennifer Ashley who seems to comprehend our plight and willing to assist in defining noise guidelines regarding time, decibel levels etc. She requested for RI residents to contact her via email to relay their experiences with noise from the plant. Her email address is jashley@manhattanbp.org Let's take this opportunity to ensure a healthy RI for everyone.

Earlier today, I received this message from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's office:

Early Monday morning a deafeningly loud noise rattled Roosevelt Islanders and was audible across the East River in Manhattan - the culprit was a steam release conducted by a Long Island City power plant.

Today Manhattan BP Stringer and other local elected officials penned a letter to Ravenswood Power Plant in Long Island City, Queens, asking that residents and representatives be notified in advance of planned pressure releases, that they be limited to daytime hours, and to strengthen accountability and communication with the community at large.

The letter, co-signed by Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, Councilmember Jessica Lappin, Assemblymember Micah Kellner and State Senator Jose Serrano was addressed to Paul Elliot, Director of Government Relations at TransCanada, the corporate owner of the Ravenswood plant. Staff members from the Borough President's office had difficulty reaching a central point of contact in the New York area for the company, which is based out of Calgary in Canada.

The Ravenswood power plant is a 2,480 megawatt plant that consists of multiple steam turbine units. Roosevelt Island residents called the Borough President's Office with complaints about the noise that they feared had been an explosion.

Below is the December 7 letter referenced above sent to Transcanada's Director of Government Relations, Paul Elliot:

We write to you in response to a recent steam release conducted in the early hours of Monday, December 5th at the Ravenswood Generation Station located in Long Island City, Queens. The release of over-pressurized steam created a deafening and sustained noise heard by residents of Queens, Roosevelt Island and Manhattan, and prompted the New York Fire Department to dispatch seven fire trucks to the facility in an emergency response.

Our offices have heard from constituents on Roosevelt Island who are concerned not only about the disruption caused by this particular incident, but also about the level of noise emanating from the facility on a routine basis. One constituent has likened the noise to the persistent firing of machine gun rounds into the air.

In light of these issues, we strongly urge you to take the following steps to mitigate noise disturbances resulting from your facility operations and to improve communication processes with the surrounding community:

1. Share details of your pressure release schedule with the public so that nearby residents have a better sense of when the associated noise is likely to occur. It is unacceptable for residents in Queens, Roosevelt Island and Manhattan to be awakened in the middle of the night to unrelenting, ear-shattering sounds with no indication of the source of the noise and its public safety implications. This schedule should be shared, at a minimum, with local elected officials, the local Community Boards, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association and the Ravenswood Houses Tenants Association.

2. Limit any pressure overload release activity to daytime hours so as to minimize disturbances to the surrounding communities. If possible, activities that produce loud noise should not be conducted late at night when most residents are in their households asleep. If there are legitimate reasons why pressure overload release activity must happen overnight, we ask that local residents be given notification and explanation.

3.    Establish a local point of contact at the Ravenswood Generation Station for residents to call if they have any concerns they would like to address directly with the facility. It is our understanding that a line of communication was made in the past between the Roosevelt Island community and the KeySpan Corporation, the previous operator of the Ravenswood facility, which proved to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both parties. We respectfully request that such a protocol be adopted and that local elected officials, the local Community Boards, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association and the Ravenswood Houses Tenants Association be provided with the appropriate contact information.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please contact Kristen Ellis in Borough President Stringer’s office at (212) 669-7877 if you have any questions about these requests.

Stay tuned for response by Transcanada.

What Was That Loud Noise Heard On Roosevelt Island This Morning? Not An Explosion, Jet Engine or Machine Gun Fire But Transcanada's Big Allis Ravenwood Power Plant Pressure Relief Valve Releasing Steam Says NYC OEM And RIOC

 Image Of Transcanada Big Allis Ravenwood Power Plant Across East River From Roosevelt Island

Some Roosevelt Island residents were woken up and startled early this morning at around 6 AM  by the sound of what appeared to be a loud explosion. One resident sent me this message asking:

Any idea what this deafening jet engine sound is coming from the bridge/tram area is at 6 am? Been going on for 30 min.

and Toasty Ramirez tweeted:

does anyone in roosevelt island/astoria/LIC/QueensBridge hear that sound outside? sounds like a bunch of machine guns going off

The NYC Office of Emergency Management was looking into the source of the noise and tweeted at Notify NYC:

Loud noise near 40 Ave and Vernon Blvd, QN, audible in QN and MN. FDNY on scene, no explosion, fire, or impact to utilities occurred

then OEM found out what happened:

Source of loud noise near Vernon/40th Ave, QN was pressure relief valve at Ravenswood Power Plant. No public/environmental hazard.

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) also reported:

the loud noise that is being heard on Roosevelt Island is the steam being released from the power plant in queens.

It is not a hazardous condition.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Another Roosevelt Island resident asks:

Could you please find out why Keyspan feels the need to vent steam from their power plant at 6 AM. This started today at 6.04 am and is still going on. It sounds loud enough to wake the dead! Thanks...

The Ravenswood Big Allis Power Plant is no longer owned by Keyspan but by Transcanada. Here is their contact info. Let them know what you think.

Previous posts described sirens going off, water cannons spraying and black billowing smoke blasting from Big Allis.

UPDATE 12:30 PM - Here's a You Tube video of an incident at the power plant from February 2011.



According to the video maker:

The ConED plant just east of Roosevelt Island in Queens just went nuts making this LOUD electrical arc noise... A little scary even the boats left the area...

It's over now, but WTF? did something happen? Accidents? Deaths? Incompetence?

Again, the incident shown in the video did not happen this morning but in February 2011 and it is not a Con Ed power plant but Transcanada.

UPDATE 12/6 - Roosevelt Island elected officials respond here.

What Was Going On At TransCanada's Long Island City Ravenswood Big Allis Power Plant This Morning Across the East River From Roosevelt Island?

 Image of Water Cannons Being used at Big Allis Power Plant from Judy Berdy

The sirens were going off and the water canons spaying at the TransCanada Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant in Long Island City this morning right across the East River from Roosevelt Island. Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy Berdy shares these pictures and adds:

The water sprayers went off about 10:15 a.m. aimed at the barge in the river.

Images From Judy Berdy

I asked Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra's office if they knew what was happening at Big Allis. Will provide an update when they find out.

More information about our East River neighbor Big Allis from previous posts.

East River Kayakers Passing Roosevelt Island On Way To Queensboro Bridge and Beyond - Boathouse May Be In Roosevelt Island's Future But Tonight Try Out The LIC Boathouse Monday Sunset Paddle

Late Saturday afternoon, I noticed several East River Kayakers making their way under the Roosevelt Island Bridge, passing the Big Allis power plant in Long Island City

on their way to the Queensboro Bridge

and beyond.

There are no kayak or boat launch facilities that provide access to the East River from Roosevelt Island. The reasons for this, strong currents surrounding Roosevelt Island, are discussed at these previous posts.

However, during the June Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Meeting's Public Session, Child School/Legacy High School Director Sal Ferrara mentioned a possible proposal to create a boat house on Roosevelt Island. (Mr. Ferrara also mentioned possible proposals for a Roosevelt Island equestrian center and arts center as well).

Image of Child School Director Sal Ferrara Addressing June RIRA Monthly Meeting

The NY Times recently reported on the experiences of Roosevelt Island's Child School/Legacy High School students learning how to row

Image From Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times

on the Harlem River. According to the NY Times:

... He was seated in a sleek racing scull, those same hands wrapped tightly around a pair of carbon-fiber oars. He was rowing hard, sending the scull through the water.

He and a dozen other students from the Child School/Legacy High School on Roosevelt Island were at the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse, an oddly old-fashioned building on the Harlem River, accessible by a gangplank and a string of floating docks.

The students were put to work carrying long racing shells to the water. They gathered around coaches from the New York Rowing Association, a nonprofit group that runs rowing clubs, teams and programs and that is based in the boathouse. This program exposes students from the city’s schools to an activity often associated with Ivy League universities....

The entire article is here.

It would be great if Roosevelt Island residents could access the East River waterfront for kayak and boat launches like below in Red Hook shown in the Vision 2020 NYC Comprehensive Waterfront Plan (page 16).

The Vision 2020 Waterfront Plan is an excellent resource to learn about what is being done and can be done in the future for New York City's waterfront.

In the absence of kayaking and waterfront access from Roosevelt Island, check out the nearby Long Island City Boathouse which is having a Monday Sunset Paddle tonight starting at 6:30 PM:

Take away the stress of "Manic Monday" with a sunset paddle. This is a moderately easy trip, suitable for adults with little or no paddling experience. You must be able to swim. Participants meet at the Boathouse not later than 6:30PM. Wear protective footwear and clothing that can get wet, and a hat, sunblock or other suitable protection from the sun. Sunglasses are a good idea. Bring a light windbreaker or hat (it can get breezy and chilly), and bottle of water or other non-alcoholic beverage. Do not bring minors, bulky items, or anything that cannot go with you in a kayak. Wallets, phones or other electronic devices should be placed in ziplock or dry bags. You may leave things in a locker at the boathouse; please bring your own lock. Cameras are OK but you bear the risk of exposure to salt water or dropping them over the side.

More info on the LIC Monday Sunset Paddle here.

Happy Paddling.

Here's a You Tube Video showing what happens every day on the rivers of New York City.



Also, don't forget the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance's (MWA) City of Water Day Festival is coming up on July 16.

From the MWA:

From the upper Hudson to Raritan Bay, we are a City of Water—yet too many of us are cut off from this tremendous resource. Help revitalize the waterfront with a festival for the entire family.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
Free harbor boat tours for thousands on historic, educational, and working vessels
A spectacular flotilla of rowers, paddlers, and other human-powered boaters
A special children's fair with with dozens of activities just for families, including bike scavenger hunts, puppet shows, sing-a-longs, and craft sessions
the Waterfront Action Fair where you can learn about everything going on around and on the water
Our one-of-a-kind on-water Festival Launch & Press Event
Live music, food by the region's best vendors, and much more!

Con Ed Proposed Building Nuclear Reactor Next Door To Roosevelt Island At Ravenswood Power Plant in Long Island City, Queens

Image Of NY Times Article From Murmurs of Earth

The  proposed Con Ed Nuclear Power plant in Long Island City across the East River from Roosevelt Island was projected to generate a capacity of 1 million kilowatts.

OK - stop freaking out - the proposal was made in 1963 and rejected. Read more about the plan from 1963 articles in the NY Times and Village Voice.

According to the NY Times:

... If New Yorkers will accept fission for profit as a neighbor, most city-dwelling Americans may expect to do so one day. But if New Yorkers banish it to the countryside, the cities of tomorrow may be bypassed by the industrial development of the atomic age Which risk should a city take?...

Via patrickdijusto tweet:

1963 New York Times story on the proposed nuclear power plant in New York City.

The Ravenswood power plant is now known as Big Allis. More about Big Allis from previous posts.

Black Billowing Smoke Belching From Big Allis Ravenwood Generating Plant Across East River From Roosevelt Island

Image From Judy Berdy

Anyone else notice the huge amount of smoke spewing out of the Big Allis Ravenswood Power Plant across the East River from Roosevelt Island in Long Island City earlier this morning?  Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy did, sent in the picture above and asks:

What is this blast of pollution coming from the power plant.? It only lasted a minute but it was impressive.

More pictures from Ms. Berdy of the belching Ravenswood Keyspan Power Plant here.

In 2009, Roosevelt Island 360 wrote a post expressing concern over potential health problems associated by being close to Big Allis:

... For many in Queens it is believed to be the source of their asthma problems and hence the reason many in LOC refer to the area as Asthma Alley. If Roosevelt Island did not have the breezes associated with the river those issues might be ours as well. To my knowledge there has not been any kind of c omprehensive study of island residents or our kids in years, if at all....

The Harbor and Hudson Class Blog reported of Big Allis:

... At the time, of the installation, Big Allis was the worlds largest power generator.  It uses oil and natural gas.  Currently the site produces about 20% of NYCs energy needs.  Ravenswood was owned by Con Ed from the time it was built until 1999, when due to deregulation, Con Ed was forced to sell its in-city generating capacity. KeySpan bought the site for $600 million US dollars and later merged with National Grid.  In 2008, New York State Public Service Commission forced National Grid to sell the site which landed it in the hands of a Canadian company called TransCanada Corp for $2.9 billion US dollars.  Not surprisingly, the Site is located right on the east river in Queens across the street for a large public housing project known as the Queensbridge houses....

According to TransCanada, the owner of the Big Allis Ravenswood Generating Plant:

Ravenswood Generating Station (Ravenswood), located in Queens, NY, is a 2,480 megawatt (MW) power plant that consists of multiple units employing steam turbine, combined cycle and combustion turbine technology.

The plant uses advanced technology and controls to minimize impact on the air and water. To reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, Units 10, 20 and 30 have all been retrofitted with Close Coupled Over Air Fired systems. Unit 40 controls aimed at reducing the unit’s environmental impact include a dry low NOx combustion system, selective catalytic reduction and a multi-cell air cooled condenser. The 2004 Combined Cycle Journal Award for Power Plant Efficiency and Environmentally Friendly Design was awarded to Unit 40 in recognition of these environmental controls.
Ravenswood has the capacity to serve approximately 21 per cent of New York City’s peak load.