An embattled power plant in Orange County took a big step to becoming fully operational Monday after the federal government granted permission to the plant's pipeline to begin streaming in fracked natural gas.

After years of problems and protests, the controversial CPV power plant in Wawayanda could be fully operation by as early as next month.

The news broke Monday after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave the go-ahead to Millennium Pipeline, which will ferry fracked natural gas into the plant.

Pramilla Malick, of Protect Orange County, says the plant's pending launch won't change the activist group's continued efforts to shut down CPV.

Malick and others claim the plant is a health and environmental hazard - and noise nuisance to boot.

CPV has been the target for public outcry for years, ever since developers announced their intent to build the $900 million plant. Those cries grew louder this winter after the plant began running diesel as a test, emitting what many say are toxic and noxious fumes.

Other residents tell News 12 they're OK with the gas plant as long as it passes safety standards.

News 12 spoke with CPV officials who said they plan to begin running tests using the natural gas as early as this week. They say the gas is better for people and the environment than older, less efficient forms of fossil fuel.

CPV officials say the plant should be able to power 800,000 to 900,000 homes by mid-August.