The NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) just told LafargeHolcim they cannot burn tires in their Ravena cement kiln. The company has applied to renew its 2005 Federal Title V permit, including tire-burning, but yesterday the DEC announced that permission to burn tires has been removed from the renewal application. Lafarge will challenge this decision, but for now, no tire-burning in Coeymans. A good decision, thanks to many people We want to thank Mike Ewall and Judith Enck for their early warnings & support. We also thank the Coeymans Town Board members, Phil Crandall, Tom Dolan, and Jim Youmans, who passed the first Coeymans Clean Air Law in 2019. Thanks go to the first Sponsors of the Albany County Clean Air bill – Bill Reinhardt, Matt Miller, and Joanne Cunningham – along with every individual who urged the County Legislators to pass the County Clean Air Law in 2020. Tony Luisi, Acting Director of DEC Region 4, is thanked for meeting with members of the Clean Air Coalition outside the RCS schools opposite the Lafarge plant. He heard and respected our arguments. We also thank State Senator Michelle Hinchey who added her voice, working with Commissioner Basil Seggos on withdrawing the LafargeHolcim permit to burn tires. All these voices created this time to celebrate The story is not over & more Clean Air work remains, but Right now, we celebrate!    |
Clean Air Coalition of Greater Ravena – Coeymans
A grassroots collection of concerned citizens fighting for CLEAN AIR in Ravena, Coeymans, Selkirk, New Baltimore and South Bethlehem