Cement plant to face the public

STUYVESANT — Local citizens will have the chance to quiz a Lafarge Cement spokesman as well as state and local officials about the plant’s mercury emissions and proposed modernization 7 p.m. tonight at Stuyvesant Town Hall, Route 26A.

Figures released in 2007 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revealed that Lafarge’s Ravena plant emitted 416 pounds of mercury in 2006, making it by far the state’s highest emitter of airborne mercury. A study released by Earthjustice and the Environmental Integrity Project on July 23 showed LaFarge is the fourth-highest mercury emitter in the U.S.

In April, plant Environmental Manager John Reagan announced the plant was undertaking a voluntary, in-depth analysis of its air emissions. The data culled from the six-month project will, he said, identify the different types of mercury being emitted as well as the amount.

In July, LaFarge officials announced a major overhaul of the plant, to turn it from a wet-process to a dry-process plant, which would cut the amount of fuel used in half.

Due to the prevailing west-to-east winds, Columbia County is downwind much of the time from the Albany County plant, and Stuyvesant is as close as three miles away. Town citizens and its supervisor, Valerie Bertram, have sought to have an air monitor placed in the town. However, the likelihood of securing a monitor that can detect mercury appears to be remote.

Assemblyman Tim Gordon, I-Bethlehem, organized tonight’s meeting in order “to ensure Lafarge gives the public the opportunity to let them voice their concerns — and receive needed answers — on the reported mercury emissions and proposed modernization of their Ravena plant.” He first called for such a meeting May 12.

Attending the meeting will be Lafarge representatives, including Reagan; Department of Environmental Conservation Region 4 Director Gene Kelly; a representative from Gov. David Paterson’s environmental staff; and local officials from the town of Stuyvesant, including Bertram.

The format will include introductory remarks, a presentation by Lafarge, and a question-and-answer period to be moderated by former Judge Larry Rosen, whose charge is to ensure questions are asked and answered in an organized manner.

Another issue that could arise is burning of tires for fuel. LaFarge was granted a permit by the DEC to burn tires in 2006, despite intense opposition from local citizens and environmental groups.

The company has not yet installed the necessary technology, but LaFarge Northeast President Joe Goss told the Register-Star July 9 that “We absolutely intend to go ahead with burning tires ... Tire-derived fuel is a very good source to mitigate our costs. For me, it’s [also] a nice way of eliminating tire dump fires.”

The meeting is open to the public.

To reach reporter John Mason, call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail jmason@registerstar.com.