  
   
 |
LATEST NEWS
EPA Proposes New Rules to Limit Mercury and Other Toxic Emissions from Cement PlantsCLICK HERE to sign FoH's petition supporting EPA's new ruleFoH, Other Community Groups Represented by Earthjustice in 2007 Lawsuit Hail EPA Proposal That Would Reduce Mercury Emissions Between 81 and 93 Percent Action taken early in Obama Administration after more than a decade of lawsuits resisted by previous administration New York's 3 cement kilns are located in the greater Capitol district; today Earthjustice, FoH, SCRAP and CASE held a press conference in Albany to address local implications particularly regarding Lafarge in Ravena which is among nation's ten worst mercury polluters in the industry. The Environmental Protection Agency today proposed new federal regulations that will limit mercury, hydrocarbons, hydrochloric acid (HCL) , particulates and sulfur dioxide emissions from Portland cement kilns nationwide. Mercury and HCL have not been previously limited although in 1990 Congress amended the Clean Air Act to include these in EPA regulations. The EPA until now has been reluctant to do so despite repeated legal actions taken by Earth Justice, Sierra Club and community groups. During those ten years EPA repeatedly proposed new rules that ignored mercury and HCL. In February 2007 Earthjustice, on behalf of Sierra Club and six community groups including FoH challenged EPA's 2006 proposed rule that again ignored mercury. In addition, the attorneys general of eight states (Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) with leadership from NYS AG Andrew Cuomo also challenged the proposed rule. In January 2009 the EPA and the plaintiffs came to a settlement that required the new proposed rules to be issued on March 31, 2009. Later, by agreement that date was revised to April 21, 2009. Today, President Obama's newly appointed EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the proposed standards that will for the first time limit mercury, HCL and certain toxic organic pollutants, as well as strengthen emissions limits on particulate matter that will better control lead, arsenic and other toxic metals from cement kilns. In addition to the 250-plus page pdf of the proposal the EPA also issued a 4-page Fact Sheet summarizing the proposed limits and the anticipated benefits. The new standards will apply a cap on emissions for every Portland cement kiln operating in the US. It will apply to both new and existing kilns. The rules for new kilns are more stringent than for existing, but are quite stringent for both. While the EPA has not specified the steps kilns can take or specific tecnology to be used, FoH expects that older wet-process kilns will not be able to meet the new standards and will have to be upgraded to dry process technology. Furthermore we expect that new pollution control technology such as wet scrubbers will have to be installed. A 60-day Public Comment Period will commence once the EPA publishes the proposal in the Federal Register which is expected by May 1. There might also be a Public Hearing twenty days into the Public Comment Period. FoH will provide more information here on this as it becomes available. The proposed rule should become final in March 2010, with a compliance date in 2013. TAKE ACTION TODAY Even before the Public Comment Period begins you can support these important new rules. At the Earthjustice website you can send a supporting e-mail to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Dr. Ward Stone to Speak about Testing for Possible Contamination from Mercury and other Heavy Metals at Ravena Cement PlantFriday, April 3, 2009 at 7 PMProminent NYS Wildlife Pathologist will be joined by Susan Falzon who will present an overview of Lafarge's Current Modernization Proposal WHAT: Community Advocates for Safe Emissions (CASE) will host a presentation by Dr. Ward Stone, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Wildlife Pathologist and Adjunct Professor at the College of St. Rose and SUNY Cobleskill, on his testing of soil and small wildlife for mercury and other heavy metals that may have been contaminated by toxic air emissions from the Lafarge Cement Plant on Route 9W in Ravena, NY. Dr. Stone will discuss in depth the goals and design of his study, as well as address concerns and questions from community residents. Lafarge was identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as the nation’s fourth worst mercury polluter in 2007. In addition to mercury, Lafarge emits annually a wide range of other heavy metals and hazardous substances that disperse over significant portions of Albany, Greene, Columbia and Rensselaer counties. In addition, Susan Falzon, Director of Friends of Hudson, will join us to discuss the permitting process for Lafarge's proposed modernized facility. Drawing on Friends of Hudson's extensive experience and successful intervention in the state's permitting process for the St. Lawrence Cement project in Greenport, Ms. Falzon will discuss mechanisms for the community to ensure that its concerns receive the highest level of consideration by the DEC in the permit approval process for Lafarge in Ravena. WHEN: Friday, April 3, 2009, at 7 PM. WHERE: Ravena Fire House, 116 Main Street, Ravena, NY. DIRECTIONS: From the NYS Thruway, Exit 22 (Selkirk); turn right on Rte. 144, go approx. 4 miles to hamlet of Coeymans. Go over bridge to Y and bear right on Rte. 143 up hill; go approx. ¾ mile and you’ll see the Ravena Fire House on your left. For parking, go past fire house, turn right onto Central Ave and then take immediate right into public parking lot. From the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, Catskill; Continue west on NY23 toward NY23E. Merge onto US 9W toward Coxsackie. In Ravena turn slight right onto Main St/NY 143 (there is a car dealer on the right at this turn). Continue to follow 143 for 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Main Street NY 144 and arrive at Ravena Fire House. Public Meeting: Lafarge's Modernization Plans and Results of Mercury Emissions TestsRensselaer County EMC Announces Public Meeting, Tuesday 3/24 in SchodackFoH Encourages Public Participation Date, Time and Location Tuesday March 24, 2009, 7-9 PM Castleton Ambulance Headquarters, near intersection of Brookview (State Route 150) and Maple Hill Roads In 2007 Toxics Release Inventory identified Lafarge as the largest producer of mercury emissions in NYS. Its annual 400 pounds is the equivalent of combined mercury emissions from 8 of the 26 operating coal fired power plants in NYS. Due to this and other emissions problems, inefficiency and other operating constraints as well as anticipation of its inability to meet future environmental standards, Lafarge announced plans to modernize its Ravena Cement Plant. The NYS DEC made a determination that the proposed plant could have an impact on the environment and therefore in August 2009 issued a "Positive Declaration" requiring a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to be prepared for DEC and public review. Since then Lafarge has submitted and received approval of Project Scoping. The Final Project Scoping Document outlines the scope of work for the DEIS. From May 2008-October 2008 Lafarge conducted mercury emissions testing at Ravena. In its Mercury Report (December 2008) Lafarge announced findings that estimate mercury emissions at Ravena at about half of the previusly reported 400 pounds. Lafarge has said it expects to submit the DEIS for this project at the end of March 2009. After initial DEC review it will be released for public comment. Therefore the Public Meeting in Schodack on March 24 is an ideal time for concerned members of the public to hear the plans and especially to have questions and concerns addressed by representatives of Lafarge. There will be an initial presentation followed by a Q&A period. FoH encourages residents on both sides of the River to attend. This is an important opportunity to raise questions and issues. DETAILS: Lafarge Public Meeting Tuesday March 24, 2009, 7-9 PM Castleton Ambulance Headquarters, near intersection of Brookview (State Route 150) and Maple Hill Roads HOME | ARCHIVES BOX 326 HUDSON NY 12534 (518) 822-0334 TEL  |