After three years of campaigning against the Danskammer fracked-gas-fueled power plant, Emily Skydel received the announcement she wanted.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation denied the Title V permit for Danskammer.

“There are just thousands of people who have been following this, speaking out," Skydel said.

The volunteer with Food & Water Watch has been there since the beginning, involved in the environment when she was studying at SUNY Binghamton. When she heard there was a proposed fracked-gas plant in the region she grew up, she got involved.

She says this is a great example of what on-the-ground activism can do.

“Regular, grassroots organizing wins the day," Skydel said.

The Danskammer plant is a natural gas peaker plant that adds to the peak capacity of New York's power grid.

Danskammer Energy had applied for the Title V permit to expand the plant and move from a part-time peaker plant to a fully operational one.

The DEC said the permit was denied because it was “inconsistent with climate law.” In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul applauded the decision.

“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, and we owe it to future generations to meet our nation-leading climate and emissions reduction goals," Hochul said. 

“It's really the only tool we have in fighting climate change, big polluters and outside companies that try to come in and disrupt our quality of life," Skydel said."

Danskammer energy said it had no comment at this time.

Skydel says she'll continue to organize and fight for the environment and that decision gives her hope for the New York’s future.

“This region is really where so much of the environmental movement got its start," she said. "So, I think if we can do this anywhere, it would be right here.”

Danskammer has 30 days to appeal the decision.