RRG announces DEC-CWM online hearings

DEC considering CWM permit applications

Residents for Responsible Government is providing a link to next week’s state Department of Environmental Conservation online hearings regarding applications to DEC by CWM Chemical Services LLC. CWM, a subsidiary of Waste Management, is seeking to reopen its hazardous waste operations on Balmer Road in the Town of Porter. The facility has been shut down since 2015 when the company’s DEC operating permits expired.

In a release, RRG stated the link will provide “access for the public to watch or listen to the presentation of testimony … regarding CWM’s application to site a new 6-million-ton hazardous waste and PCB landfill operation in the towns of Lewiston and Porter.”

The session will open at 10 a.m. and will be broadcast online at www.webex.com with audio access via phone.

RRG explained, “This hearing is specific to the predicted impacts to air quality from the proposed RMU-2 hazardous waste and PCB landfill (Residuals Waste Management-2) on property contaminated with radiological soils. This is one of several hearings in the past year regarding WWM applications, which date back to 2023.”

The session may continue to April 19. Actual participation in the adjudicatory hearing is limited to the designated parties. Residents many join the meeting via the internet or listen by phone.

 To access the April 15 session, log on at www.webex.com and click “Join a meeting.” Input event number 161 788 2364 followed by password 15April2024. To join the session via phone, dial 1-518-549-0500, and use access code: 161 788 2364, followed by password 15277452.

In the event the session continues to April 16, residents can access the proceedings at www.webex.com. Input event number 161 057 5493 and password 16April2024. Phone access is available at 1-518-549-0500, with access code: 161 057 5493 and password 16277452.

To access the April 17, 18 and 19 sessions online, again link to www.webex.com. For April 17, the event number is: 161 484 4771, password: 17April2024. Phone access is available at 1-518-549-0500; access code 161 484 4771 and password 17277452.

For the April 18 session, the event number is 161 986 6648 and password is 18April2024. Call 1-518-549-0500 with access code 161 986 6648 and password 18277452.

For April 19, the event number is 161 826 3713 and password is 19April2024. Call 1-518-549-0500 with access code: 161 826 3713 and password 19277452.

Those having difficulty logging onto the hearings may contact Daniel P. O’Connell, administrative law judge, Office of Hearings and Mediation Services, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, 1st Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1550. Call 1-518-402-9003 or email [email protected].

RRG is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization formed in 2002 in response to a 3-to-2 approval by Porter Town Board members to rezone land for the commercial landfilling of PCBs and hazardous wastes imported from throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. For more information, visit RRG-NY.com.