29 Arrests Made At Energy Plant In Dover

DOVER, NY — Twenty-nine people were arrested after a protest Saturday at the Crickett Valley Energy facility on Route 22 in the Town of Dover. The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office said, during the early morning hours, a large group of protesters gained access to the grounds, most of the group blocking the entrance while a smaller group climbed up onto smoke stacks on the property.

The protesters' action resulted in a response from the sheriff's office and the New York State Police.

Authorities said 29 of the protesters refused to follow dispersal orders and were taken into custody at the scene.

They were processed and released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Dover Court.

Those arrested and charged with criminal trespass were accused of climbing onto the smoke stacks. Those charged with trespass were accused of blocking the entrance while trespassing on private property.

The sheriff's office and state police were assisted by the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response and Mobile Life.

There were no injuries, police said.

In a press release, organizers of the protest said they were participating in non-violent civil disobedience that resulted in the halt in construction of the Cricket Valley fracked gas plant for a day.

They said the 1,100-megawatt plant, which was proposed in 2009, would be the largest fracked gas plant in the northeast.

Opponents of the plant said studies and research show the negative effects that burning fracked gas/methane has on the climate, air quality, community health, the water supply and surrounding eco-systems.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.