On April 29, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) will be holding public meetings regarding a permit expansion request by Waste Management to allow municipal solid waste (MSW) to be accepted at the facility in the South End of Albany.

My colleague Assemblymember Patricia Fahy and I sent a letter to NYSDEC regarding our opposition to the permit expansion. Senator Neil Breslin sent a separate letter as well expressing his opposition to the proposal. Waste Management previously submitted a similar proposal to expand their permit to allow MSW to be accepted at their facility in the South End in 2009 that was ultimately denied. I did not represent the 108th District at the time, but from what I understand that plan was met with significant community opposition as noted by former Albany council member and resident Dominick Calsolaro. Our reservations are based on the issues of malodors and increased truck traffic. Our South End residents live in an environmental justice community and it is vitally important to be proactive when potential issues that affect the quality of life for our residents arise.

As a legislator who represents five cities that are impacted by remnants of the industrial era where prior decisions were made that created the challenges of today (i.e. Dunn Landfill complaints, Ezra Prentice concerns regarding impacts from the Port of Albany, Norlite in Cohoes, etc.), it is clear that our communities and residents have understandably had enough and are only asking for what many already enjoy  – a clean and safe community to live in. Unfortunately, over the years, decisions to host facilities such as the one in question were the result of communities being pressed with financial challenges and seeking a necessary source of revenue.  I believe that is not the solution. I am not supporting this permit expansion and encourage the public to be involved and make their voices heard. I carry legislation in the NYS Assembly regarding the Dunn Landfill issue, have had a bill enacted into law to prohibit the incineration of AFFF at Norlite, and remain active and vocal not only on these issues and others as they arise. I have also consistently advocated to ensure that our localities have the state financial assistance that they need to avoid being forced to go down a similar path in the future. I will continue to work diligently to protect the health and safety of our communities.

Thank you to Dominick Calsolaro for his steadfast advocacy for the South End and I appreciate the efforts of my government partners in working together on this issue.