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Judge issues order to halt LIC plants


Justice Joseph Golia ruled in favor of Silvercup Studios,…

By Dustin Brown

A State Supreme Court judge in Queens has issued an injunction to temporarily halt construction on a Long Island City site where the New York Power Authority plans to place two generators by June.

Justice Joseph Golia ruled in favor of Silvercup Studios, which had filed suit to block the NYPA from setting the generators across the street from where it produces the TV series “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City.”

Silvercup officials fear the generators will interfere with their operations and those of other Long Island City companies.

The injunction will force the NYPA, a state agency, to cease construction on the site until the case is settled through litigation.

But construction is allowed to proceed until Silvercup Studios posts bond, which Golia is expected to set by the end of the week.

“It’s our understanding that no injunction is in effect until after a hearing and a decision on the size of any bond tied to that injunction,” New York Power Authority spokesman Joe Leary read in a statement. “In the meantime, our efforts to try to keep the lights on this summer continues at all sites, including Vernon Boulevard.”

“We’re very pleased with the judge’s decision,” said Alan Suna, Silvercup chief executive officer. “We agree with the judge that the generators would have a negative impact on the community and the economic development of the Queens waterfront.”

By issuing the injunction, Golia indicated there is cause to believe Silvercup may ultimately win the suit, said his law clerk, Mitchell Kaufman.