Storm King Mountain

Storm King Mountain Information

Storm King Mountain, located in the Hudson Highlands of New York, played a pivotal role in the birth of the environmental movement in the United States. Its story is closely linked to a prolonged legal battle known as the “Storm King Case” that significantly influenced environmental law and policy.

In 1962, the Consolidated Edison Company (ConEd), an energy utility company, proposed a hydroelectric power plant project on Storm King Mountain. The plan involved carving out part of the mountain to create a 260-acre reservoir, which would be used to generate electricity during peak demand periods.

However, this plan was met with significant opposition from local residents and conservation groups, who feared it would cause irreparable harm to the scenic beauty and ecology of the Hudson River Valley. This led to the formation of the Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference in 1963, a coalition of 19 organizations and individuals dedicated to stopping the power plant project.

In what became a landmark case in environmental law, Scenic Hudson challenged ConEd’s project before the Federal Power Commission (FPC). Initially, they were denied legal standing because they could not show economic harm. However, Scenic Hudson appealed, and in 1965, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in their favor. This decision, known as Scenic Hudson Decision, recognized for the first time the right of citizens and conservation groups to intervene in public licensing processes where environmental concerns were at stake, even if they could not demonstrate direct economic harm.

The case stretched over 17 years, during which it catalyzed public interest in environmental preservation and led to significant environmental legislation, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 and the Clean Water Act in 1972.

Finally, in 1980, ConEd abandoned its plans for the Storm King project in a settlement that led to the creation of a fund to protect the Hudson River and its surrounding lands. This victory marked a significant moment in the history of environmental activism in the U.S.

The Storm King case established key precedents for citizen involvement in environmental decision-making and contributed to the growth of the environmental movement in the United States. Today, Storm King Mountain remains a symbol of this movement and is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers.