State environmental regulators on Wednesday moved to reject applications for two natural gas power plants proposed for New York, citing the state's shift to renewable energies in order to curtail the impact of climate change.

Denial of the permits for the projects comes after years of scrutiny and opposition by environmental groups in New York.

The permit denials for Danskammer Energy Center and Astoria Gas Turbine Power, LLC were "inconsistent with New York’s nation-leading climate law, and are not justified or needed for grid reliability," wrote Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos.

"We must shift to a renewable future," he added.

The move was cheered by environmental organizations and Gov. Kathy Hochul as the state moves to enact a law meant to transition New York to renewable energy sources in the coming decades.

“It was clear that the applications from Astoria and Danskammer both failed our law’s climate and equity tests, and the DEC was right to reject these applications," said Peter Iwanowicz, the executive director of Environmental Advocates NY. "Projects that add to pollution detract from people’s health and fuel the climate crisis are clear failures and have no place in New York’s future. This is a tremendous decision by DEC and another for the growing list of Hochul administration’s actions that will provide clean air and a healthful environment for the 20 million people that call New York home.”

Hochul also applauded the move, calling it the right decision given the state's energy goals.

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