Climate Activists Target a Retrofitted ‘Peaker Plant’ in Queens, Decrying New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure They say burning natural gas harms communities of color, exceeds New York’s carbon limits and helps make the case for a federal clean energy standard. July 30, 2021 Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez poses with community members and environmental activists opposing the Astoria Repowering Project in Queens, New York. Courtesy of New York Public Interest Research Group Related Share this article When the sky over New York City filled with smoke last week from massive wildfires burning thousands of miles away on the West Coast, prompting weather forecasters to issue air quality alerts across three states, climate advocates called the threat the latest consequence of a rapidly warming world.