By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-976829.mp3
Albany, NY – The DEC has given the Lafarge Cement Plant in Ravena the green light to proceed with a modernization plan. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
The plant came under fire from environmentalists in 2003 when newspaper reports revealed it was releasing large amounts of mercury into the air... it has come a long way since then.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently accepted the Final Environmental Impact Statement from the Lafarge Cement Plant in Ravena as "complete", signaling the end of one step in the years-long effort to modernize the cement plant's operation. New permits include modifications to existing permits for two wet-kilns and a set of conditions for the proposed replacement dry kiln. Mercury emissions will be significantly lowered.
Officials say the new cement-making technology will be more energy efficient, consuming about 42 per cent less fuel and generating 40 per cent less solid waste than the existing facility. Lafarge addressed over two dozen environmental factors in preparing documentation for the DEC including sensitivity to noise, air quality, efficiency and public health.
The new plant's production increase will be significant, rising from about 1.7 million tons to 2.8 million tons annually. Construction could get underway as early as fall of 2011.
Calls to long-time Lafarge critic, Ravena-based CASE - Community Advocates for Safe Emissions - were not returned in time for broadcast.