As reported in the Times Union today by Rick Karlin, there is welcome news to those who have been following the issues associated with the Dunn Landfill. Myself and Senator Breslin have been engaged in addressing the Dunn Landfill concerns since I first started to receive complaints in 2018. We have sent a number of letters to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regarding the Dunn Facility, participated in numerous meetings and public hearings, and sponsor legislation in the NYS Assembly that would prohibit siting solid waste management sites near schools.  These efforts along with a large amount of advocacy from residents, our local elected officials, and working with NYSDEC, there is now a full-time on-site monitor and a strict process regarding the reporting of quality of life complaints to ensure that they are addressed expeditiously. More importantly, millions of dollars have been spent by the operator to install an elaborate odor control system that to date has been effective although as I often remind individuals….we should not wave the victory flag as compliance is a full-time commitment which is what we expect from the operator when it comes to Dunn Landfill as well as many other environmentally challenging projects in our region and state.

Myself and Senator Breslin recently received correspondence that has been shared with the Rensselaer Environmental Coalition and elected officials from Commissioner Basil Seggos.  That letter includes a commitment requiring the Dunn Facility to have any renewal application treated as a new application which means there will be a much more expansive review of the renewal if solicited as compared with the traditional review.  Additionally, this will open up more opportunities for public comments regarding the truck traffic, malodor complaints, and other potential community impacts.

I appreciate the Commissioner making that commitment and believe the advocacy of many at all levels that we have engaged in has put us in a better position regarding the future of the Dunn Landfill and ensuring that the community will have their voices heard.