Jen Metzger's Fracking Ban Bill on 5 year Anniversary

Today, on the 5 year anniversary of NYs historic ban on Hydrofracking (which really isn't a ban for several reasons, more like an executive moratorium which makes some forms of fracking *possible*...) 

Senator Jen Metzger introduced SB 6906: 

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s6906

First thing I notice:

1: Includes propane fracking .... GOOD!

However, there are other kinds of fracking, such as fracking with acid, other gelled hydrocarbons (butane?), or explosives.

Requested Change #1: Let's add all nasty forms of well stimulation: acid fracking, fracking with explosives, fracking with ANY gelled hydrocarbons. 

2: This bill makes permanent the TRICKY SWITCHEROO of increasing the threshold of a low-volume frack from 20,000 to 80,000 gallons (1992 O+G GEIS), to anything under 300,000 gallons (2014 SGEIS adopted while "banning fracking"). This makes fracking wells using 80,001 gal to 299,999 gal *possible*, when it was *not possible* under the 1992 O+G GEIS

UPDATE!  I have studied two wells which caused problems in Dimock. (two wells I happened to have a complete file review on, Costello #1 and Costello #2). Each well was fracked twice.  For each well, one of the fracks would have been possible under the

Requested Change #2: RESTORE the limits of a "frack" to 80,000 gallons, as was in the 1992 Oil+Gas GEIS.

References: a: http://www.nofrackingway.us/2012/04/10/grisantis-fracking-loopholes/ (analysis by Chip Northrup) 

b: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/findingstatehvhf62015.pdf (findings statement) 

c: https://www.otsego2000.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/L.%2520Allstadt.pdf (Lou Allatadt)

3: This only bans High Volume *Horizontal* Hydro/Propane fracking. Many of the failed wells in the Dimock/Springville area which caused widespread water contamination problems were NOT horizontal wells!! They were water-fracked VERTICAL wells!!! 

Requested Change #3: Remove any mention of the word "horizontal".

4: There is NO BAN on Fracking Infrastructure or other harmful side-effects:  Water withdrawals, pipelines, compressor stations, fracked gas power plants, waste transport/disposal, "beneficial use" such as road spreading of brine, "Virtual Pipelines" (#BombTrucks) using either Ultra-High-Pressure CNG Tube-Trailers, or Bulk-Haul LNG, fixing the NYSDOT HAZMAT loophole which exists outside NYC, #BombTrains, etc. 

Final Thoughts:

It's a great start, and IMO NY fractivists should get involved in discussing this bill with your local reps, and possibly supporting some version of it, but it looks like it needs a lot of committee work. 

But it seems clear we DO need a proper LEGISLATIVE BAN!! Let's make it happen! 

BH

--

I am desperate for $ once again... seeking about $700 remaining in my Nov/Dec fundraiser. This is only for my BASIC living expenses and includes $0 for my program expenses, medical emergencies, etc. (I need some emergency dental work which I can't afford). So.... 

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Thank you!!

There is a problem with this LNG by Rail Special Permit

I've been talking to my friend Ron who is a retired NYSDOT

guy, who was an inspector in the commercial division (big rigs).

Ron also worked for the railroads.

Ron is super smart, and he really knows these US DOT Special Permits (SP).

The Short Answer:

1: It would take enormous expense and effort to meet the permit conditions, so much so, that this SP will likely never be used.

2: There is a legal question as to whether the shipper New Fortress Energy

can legally fill these DOT-113 cars, when the authorization was

granted to permitee Energy Transport Solutions. Are these distinct business

entities? Or the same? (If so, then why the charade of a second fictitious name?)

For reference:

PHMSA Announcement Page:

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/safe-transportation-energy-products/liquefied-natural-gas-transportation-rail

The Special Permit:

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/safe-transportation-energy-products/72906/dot-20534.pdf

Notice:

1. GRANTEE: Energy Transport Solutions, LLC, Doral, FL

and this:

2. PURPOSE AND LIMITATION:
c. No party status will be granted to this special permit.

This is different from the Special Permit which we see, for example,

with the CNG #BombTrucks. In that case, the SP is issued to the

*manufacturer*. (e.g., Hexagon Lincoln, Quantum Fuel Systems).

Then, any carrier (e.g, NG Advantage, or XNG) can use these

trailers, as long as a copy of the SP is carried on board.

In the case of SP-20534, this permit is issued to a SHIPPER,

Energy Transport Solutions, LLC (ETS).

Because "no party status is granted", this means the permit is

ONLY good for this one shipper.

Ron says this Special Permit ONLY applies to this shipper.

However in the case of the proposed Wyalusing, Bradford Co, PA

LNG terminal, the shipper is New Fortress Energy.

Huh?

Well, it turns out New Fortress Energy has 73 subsidiaries (!!): one is ETS:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1749723/000114036118042889/s002392x7_ex21-1.htm

This raises red flags for me.  The reasons corporations use multiple

business entities like this (wholly owned subsidiaries, and more complex

ownership structures) is because often they can ESCAPE REGULATION

or LIMIT LIABILITY pretending to be two different business entities.

But other times, (like with this Special Permit), they have to be the same.

This could be a legal challenge. Seems like funny business. 

Ron also says the permit conditions are very strict, and would

be difficult to meet. "This permit could only be used in an emergency

situation".

It requires ETS to provide training to all first responders who

could potentially respond ( @ §7(c)(5) of the Special Permit)
which is potentially dozens of different agencies all along the route.

The permit states that the routes will not be decided by the permit,

but are to be determined by the railroad operator dynamically.

The effort to a) locate every possible first responding agency,
and b) provide training to them, would be ENORMOUS.

The permit also requires that this is a "direct route with no stops".

This means the train will likely be a "Unit Train" with only one type

of cargo, with a common shipper/customer. Point to Point.

It also requires complex telemetry for each car (pressure, leaks, location),
@ §7(a)(3) of SP-20534, which would require a massive back-end tracking system

developed, probably communicating with satellites. 

Perhaps such a system already exists, and it's all just turnkey.

But it looks to me it would take a large amount of planning to

set it up and make this work.

The other problem is availibility of DOT-113 cars.

Ron says they are used in Canada, but not much

in the US, presently, for cryogenic, non-LNG gases. 

Ron says this SP is most likely moot,
that it MOST LIKELY will never be used.

He thinks the AAR (railroad trade association)

had a hand in drafting this permit. This org represents

the railroad operators.

Ron says, "the AAR wants LNG by rail (because it's

revenue for the operators it represents), but they

want this occur in an approved package.

The entire reason why a Special Permit is necessary,

is because the DOT-113 cryogenic tanker is presently

not an approved package for LNG.

Ron says, This Special Permit is an emergency back-up plan,

should the new regulations fail to pass.

We joked at this point about: Emergency? What Emergency?

A stockholder didn't get his dividend in a timely manner?

What is the national emergency for moving LNG by rail?

A major purpose of the PHMSA "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" (NPRM)

for LNG by rail, is to make the DOT-113 an "authorized package"

for shipping LNG by rail.

The railroad operators take responsibility for any HAZMAT shipments

which occur in authorized packages. The potential liability for rail accidents

involving HAZMAT could be $100M or more. So the insurance companies

have a hand in crafting the regs.

You can now comment on the Special Permit:

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=PHMSA-2018-0025-0081

(it was closed when I looked previously -- so PHMSA has just opened

this up! Maybe due to Senator DeFazio's complaint?)

...as well as commenting on the Regs:

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=PHMSA-2018-0025-0002

My suggestion is that we focus on making comments on the Regs.

The special permit is likely moot -> would take ENORMOUS effort.

I hope this is helpful,

BH

Please support my work:

I have $760 of unmet bills
(911/DESPERATE NEED HERE!)

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of my present projects. THANK YOU! 

--
William Huston:  WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
Binghamton NY

Public Service Mapping / Videography / Research / Education / Safety Advocacy
Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter  -- Youtube -- Podcast Blog

Document collections: VirtualPipelines -- BHDCSDimockArchive
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Bad news: PHMSA approves LNG by rail

https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/safe-transportation-energy-products/liquefied-natural-gas-transportation-rail

Liquefied Natural Gas - Transportation by Rail

On December 5, 2019, PHMSA granted a special permit to Energy Transport Solutions, LLC to authorize transportation of LNG in DOT-113C120 tank cars between Wyalusing, PA and Gibbstown, NJ, with no intermediate stops, subject to certain operational controls.

Links to the special permit and associated documents are provided below:

DOT-SP 20534

Special Permit Evaluation Form

Environmental Assessment

Federal Register Notice – Notice of Issuance of Special Permit Regarding Liquefied Natural Gas

The relevant dockets at Regulations.gov are provided below:

Hazardous Materials: Liquefied Natural Gas by Rail

Draft Environmental Assessment for a Special Permit Request for Liquefied Natural Gas by Rail

Updated: Thursday, December 5, 2019

---------------------------------

Press:

https://kqennewsradio.com/2019/12/09/defazio-slams-phmsa-for-granting-permit-to-move-lng-by-rail/

https://marcellusdrilling.com/2019/12/u-s-govt-grants-new-fortress-permit-to-ship-nepa-lng-by-rail/

--
William Huston:  WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
Binghamton NY

Public Service Mapping / Videography / Research / Education / Safety Advocacy
Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter  -- Youtube -- Podcast Blog

Document collections: VirtualPipelines -- BHDCSDimockArchive
Please support my work! -- TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

The SUNGEEL lithium battery recycling plant proposed for Endicott, NY

Great comment, from Dr. Paul Connett, a local expert on incinerators and Zero Waste.

THANK YOU, PAUL!!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Paul Connett
Date: Thu, Dec 5, 2019, 11:50 AM
Subject: The SUNGEEL lithium battery recycling plant proposed for Endicott, NY
To: <DEP.R7@dec.ny.gov>, <LupardoD@nyassembly.gov>, 

TO
Joseph M Dlugolenski

NYSDEC Region 7 Cortland Sub-Office

1285 Fisher Ave

Cortland, NY 13045

(607)753-3095

FROM

Paul Connett, PhD,

Binghamton, NY 13905

pconnett@gmail.com

Dear Mr. Dlugolenski,

I have recently been made aware of a proposal to build a lithium battery recycling plant proposed in Endicott, NY. I am very concerned about this project and I would like, as a member of the Tri Cites area (I live in Binghamton, NY), to request that the NY DEC hold a public hearing on this project. To date citizens have only heard from the company.

My background. I am a retired professor of chemistry, who specialized in environmental chemistry and toxicology. I taught at St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY,  from 1983- 2006. I have been involved in waste management research since 1985 - and this issue that has taken me to 49 states in the USA, 7 provinces in Canada and 66 other countries. From 1985 to 2000 I headed up the group Work on Waste, USA. I have written extensively on the dangers posed by incineration, including co-authoring 6 papers on dioxin published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere. More recently I published the book "The Zero Waste Solution: Untrashing the Planet One Community at a Time" (Chelsea Green, 2013)

My Concerns.

 1) This project is being rushed through with minimal public input.

2) The facility is being built in a highly populated community, whose residents' health has already been compromised by industrial operations (e.g. IBM).

3) Lithium batteries are notorious for being a fire hazard, but I do not see any accident analysis. What hazards would a fire cause to this community if tons of lithium batteries are brought to and stored in this location? This analysis should be required by the NY DEC.

4) Obviously, a lot of attention has been paid to this technology but it does pose risks - and no matter what bells and whistles are put on this plant the ultimate fail safe is its location. In this case the location offers no fail safe - if accidents occur - or even malfunctions and upset conditions - people will be immediately in harms' way. I would like to know the rationale for this siting? Is it the best and safest location that can be found in this area, or in NY State or the region? Or was this siting decision made because Endicott is perceived as a sacrifice area?

5) I note in one of the schematics of the process in the air permit prepared by .Plumley Engineering the label "PCB" occurs. Do these  letters refer to Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls, if so I am particularly concerned a) because they are very toxic in their own right but also b) when they are heated or burned the byproducts poly chlorinated dibenzo furans (PCDFs) are orders of magnitude more toxic than the PCBs themselves. That is why when burned in bulk in hazardous waste facilities they are required to meet a destruction removal efficiency (DRE) of 99.9999.

6) I note that the SUNGEEL facility operating in South Korea has been measured for dioxin - but only a single figure (one test?) has been provided for dioxin emissions - i.e. 0.016 ng I-TEQ/SM3.

QUESTIONS: Was only one test performed on this facility? For what duration?  6 hours? Under what conditions? Such spot tests are notorious for underestimating emissions during start-up, shut-down and upset conditions. As a result in Germany, Belgium and some other countries companies are required to use a 4-week continuous sampling system (the AMESA system). Emissions when estimated using this sampling system emissions can be several orders of magnitude higher than the 6-hour spot tests. Thus the conclusions by  Plumley Engineering copied below -  are not based on adequate science and are cavalier to say the least.

If the company has an operating facility such measurements should be made using continuous sampling over a whole year.

Furthermore, I would like to see dioxin measurements made in several locations in the facility (after the heater) and before and after the air pollution control equipment so an estimate can be made of their removal efficiency.

7. Other emission data. Like the dioxin data the metal emissions appear to be based on single measurements i.e. spot tests. Were they based on one spot test? Or many? If many then one would like to see the range of the results.

8. Thermal release vents (i.e. dump stacks). I saw no mention of these in the permit application, but typically when materials are being heated or burned at high temperatures you need some device to vent the gases in the event of some blockage downstream of the heater or burner. When this occurs there is no mitigation from air pollution control and emissions of both toxic metals and dioxins can greatly increased. We need to know the track record of the company's operation in South Korea in this regard.

9. Nanoparticles. I see no discussion of nanoparticles in the application. This is perhaps the most unexpected and serious problem in any high temperature heating or burning operation. It is only in the last few years that we are beginning to find out the health problems these maybe generating. In just the last few weeks a paper has been published indicating a relationship between 2.5 micron particles and brain cancer.

10. No emission monitoring proposed. I see in the air permit that as far as emissions are concerned no short term or long term monitoring is proposed, instead the facility will be "monitored" using simple operating criteria - temperature at certain points and pressure drop in the baghouse. I do not find this satisfactory or protective of the community. It may be that such simple measurements could be used once a year's worth of data has been complied and correlated with these parameters - but not at the outset. Perhaps that has been done in Korea - but if so the data should be provided.

Conclusion: For all of the reasons above I think it is imperative that the NY DEC either reject the permit application outright or organize a hearing where both the citizens and local decision makers hear about the possible dangers involved in this project.

Sincerely,

Paul Connett,

Dec 5 2019

Endicott Battery Incinerator: New Videos!

Urgent request for funds! 

I am still trying to raise $500 for unmet November expenses
(storage, PO box, phone, deposit on new apt) 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bill-huston-podcast-support-112019

or alternately, Paypal: http://TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

or USPS: Wm Huston, PO Box 22, Endicott NY, 13761 

Watch the Entire Video Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR

 

.... or watch the individual videos:

1: Endicott Battery Update: What is it? Where is it?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YgK2Mqjv-Xc&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR




Topics:

• What is it? Manufacturing, or Recycling?
  
• Kiln or Incinerator?
  
• Hype Alert!
  
• Imperium3/C4V => Where is it?
  
• MIA bastard engineered by bureaucrats / Taxpayer Money Pit
  
• Engineered not Organic
  
• We’ve defeated incinerators before!
  
• My Name is Allegany County (1990)
  
• Privitization of our Intellectual Commons
  
• It’s Just the Same Old Enclosure Scam
  (Diggers, Levellers, Advertising)
  
• Privatization adds costs!
  
• Bait and Switch (Manufacturing vs. Crash-n-Bash)
  
• Write or Call the DEC!!!
  
• List of Basic Demands (see below)
  

2: Endicott Battery thing, Future Plans?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=g_-qzCfVAGo&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR 



Topics:

• Recap: No-show manufacturing. WASTE TREATMENT on the Fast Track.
  
• Local Electeds are ON NOTICE!
  
• DEC finally got records to Library – BH published to internet here:
  TinyURL.com/EndicottBatteryIncinerator
  
• DEC is structurally compromised.
  
• Aerial survey of site.
  
• Did NYSEG sign off on the storage location?!
  
• SOLVENT EXTRACTION! (the long-term plan??)
  
• Write and Call the DEC!!
  
• Basic Demands Listed
  

3: Endicott Incinerator: Let's talk about the CHEMICALS

https://youtube.com/watch?v=nCbPZ6em4pM&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR 
 


Topics:

• Roasting & Crushing
  
• SOLVENT EXTRACTION!? (the real long-term goal?)
  
• Recalling the SPDES fight over the Stink Trucks (landfill leachate).
  
• Endicott: 467 Contaminated Acres/Cancer Cluster
  
  • The Inevitible Consequence of Mainframe Computers and Personal PCs.
    
• Now, Endicott’s air must be poisoned so we can have electric cars?
  
• Aerial Survey continues: Proximity to local shopping, downtown area.
  
• The contents of the Toxic Smog listed (Potential to Emit)
  
• The EPA “Major Source” / Title-V rabbit hole
  
• Black Art of Chemical Toxicity Science
  
• The INCOMPLETE science of Toxicity
  
• NOx is NOT a Hazadous Air Pollutant!? (what the hell?)
  
• WRITE to the DEC! and Call too!!
  
• Basic Demands repeated.
  

4: Endicott Battery Incinerator: NEWS UPDATE!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=uV9rgArxOt0&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR 

 

Topics:

• What we asked for vs. what we got.
  
• 15 days extension. Really 27. Huh?
  
• NO WORD about a public hearing.
  
• DEC makes it HARD TO GET THE DOCS!
  
• BH makes it EASY! Grab all of the docs here:
  TinyURL.com/EndicottBatteryIncinerator
  
• Special message to Donna Lupardo
  
• Recalling Donna’s environmental record.
  
• WRITE and CALL the DEC!!!! 
• Donna Lupardo: 607-723-9047  LupardoD@nyassembly.gov

5: Endicott Incinerator: DEC Reality Check Pt1

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3ma0e2YFTyY&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR 
 


Topics:

• Debunking common misconceptions about the realities of the view of “Government as protector of the Environment”.
  
• Challenges with fighting the permit
  
  • Fighting the Government
    
    • DEC almost never listens – We have to make a BIG NOISE!
      
    • Police Powers!
      
  • Little help from local environmental groups
    
  • Fighting the Greens who think EVs are necessary for “Our Renewable Tomorrow”.
    
• Looking for Env. Warriors at the Cuddle Party!
  
• Treating Endicott like damaged goods.
  
• The history of Stink Trucks at Endicott
  
• Pregnant Mare’s Urine??
  
• DEC’s sadly pathetic record. DEC is like Buttah!
  
• Metaphysics in Environmental Activism
  
• Where are the fierce environmental protectors?
  All of the typical suspects (NGOs, electeds, regulators)
  are falling over.
  
• As good stewards, we must imagine the WORST CASE SCENARIO
  
• How DEC keeps us ignorant, and disempowered, various schemes.
  
• The DANGER of “Unpublished SEQR actions”.
  
• We can’t legally challenge a secret decision! (2011 Stink-Trucks Pilot progrem / Huron’s new Waste Importation Business)
  
• The THREE TYPES of NY Air Pollution Permits
  
• The multiple reasons for a public hearings
  
• But are the hearings a Moot Court?
  
• DEC acts as a Project Sponsor!!! NOT a neutral arbiter.
  WHAT THA HELL!! They all act like it’s normal!
  
• Saw this previously at the SRBC
  
• also Commisioner Martens w/SGEIS.
  
• DEC Issues Conference for Crestwood LPG @ Seneca Lake
  
• DEC staff seen passing notes with the applicant during the meeting!!! 

6: Endicott Incinerator: DEC Reality Check Pt2 w/Spike Jones!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=MTcnKn-nIvk&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR 

 
  
Topics:

• “Permitting and Regulating” vs Prohibition
• DEC is not designed to Say No.
• Permit: Turn the valve on. Regulate: Keep the valve open.
• The permit doesn’t prevent pollition. It ENABLES IT!
• Why do we prohibit Murder and Rape? (public safety requirement)
• So why do we “Permit and Regulate” toxic pollution?
• The Law is Designed Against Us!!!
• Democracy School teaser.
• Cumulative Impacts NOT STUDIED!
• Point Sources considered individually.
• Discharges are LEGAL as long as “within limits”.
• But really, this is a PSYOP.
• The amount of pollution is NOT LIMITED by law!
• Holy Shit!! What a GREAT CLIP of Spike Jones (Allegany County Nonviolent Action Group) talking about the pragmatic
  necessity of direct action, vs. engaging in a RIGGED Permit Game.

7: Democracy School, Regulatory Rot, Police Powers

https://youtube.com/watch?v=x_F4vbb3gWU&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR 
 
 

Topics:

• Get CELDF Democracy School Training!! All people doing environmental work should GET THIS TRAINING!
  (This is a natural endorsement. I have no financial connection to CELDF)
• One major lesson of Democracy School: Permit Proceeding is Rigged Game
• NY SEQR (SEQRA) flowchart, Unlisted Actions, Subjective & Arbitrary Classifications
• We want a full EIS for Endicott! (to slow down the process, not because we believe in the process. See the Tom Linzey clip in the playlist!)
• Regulatory Rot. What we see, Possible reasons postulated.
• We (concerned public) should HELP the legislators and regulators do the right thing. (what is the best possible outcome, from this point?)
• Be careful with those words! (the power of judgements/curses)
• Reggie / Cuddle Party People vs Police Powers
• DEC Police should do more Enforcement Actions against industrial polluters.
• The DEC staff don’t seem to see the rot.
• Stink Trucks video (met Reggie there)
• Reggie’s body language.
• Did you make this mess, Reggie?
• Saying S.P.D.E.S. with a straight face.
• The title of the law is a PSYOP.
• Permit doesn’t “eliminate” pollution. It permits it! (exact opposite)
• Recap: Biz development and protecting env. are mutually exclusive
• Three Branches: Environment Regulator is Executive function.
• Police Powers are Executive function.
• Chart: Police Powers (zoning, muni. cops, ECL)
• “Health, Safety, and Welfare” => Police Powers!
• Write to the DEC! Call them too!
  

8: Endicott: NOT an Environmental Justice Community?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=8kIaGsBy9Gs&list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR  



Topics:

• Critique of “Environmental Justice”
  
• “Race” is used to DIVIDE people (esp. social movements)
  
• Rights are not a function of class/race.
  
• Benzene toxicity is not a function of skin color.
  
• EJ promotes special classes of victims.
  
• EJ promotes victimization fable of PoC and the poor.
  
• David Braun’s Ambulance Service
  
• CELDF approach: Permit Process is designed to funnel us into arenas where we have no agency.
  
• Playing the rigged permit game.
  
• Shouldn’t we use the tools available to us?
  (as long as we recognize that the game is rigged)
  
• SEQR: Negative Declaration. “Will not have a significant impact”.
  
• YOUR LIFE DOES NOT MATTER!
  
• DEC refuses Endicott EJ protections. By what basis?
  
• Details of the NY DEC’s “Commissioner Policy” on EJ.
  
• NO TEETH! Creates no rights, no remedies. Insubstantial.
  
• Reading the Negative Dec.
  
• Major vs. Minor Projects
  
• More subjectivity
  
• CP-29 on Env. Justice requires PERMIT INFO PUBLISHED ON INTERNET! (huh. Sounds familiar… Who was asking for this?)
  
• Write to the DEC and also CALL!

CALL and/or WRITE to the DEC before Thu Dec 5!

Sample letter:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joseph M Dlugolenski
NYSDEC Region 7 Cortland Sub-Office
1285 Fisher Ave
Cortland, NY 13045
(607)753-3095
DEP.R7@dec.ny.gov

subj: Application 7-0346-00218/00001 SMCC LIB Recycling Facility

 Dear Mr. Dlugolenski,

My name is ------------.

I (live, work, go to school, have family who live, etc) in Endicott.
(or) I live in (Endwell/JC/Vestal/Binghamton) downwind of the proposed facility in Endicott.

I am very concerned about the proposed SMCC battery incinerator in the center of a populated area. Several of the chemicals with a "Potential to Emit" are CANCER CAUSING, endocrine disruptors, or destroy lung tissue (e.g., sulfuric acid).

My request and demands are that DEC:

• Stop treating Endicott like a 3rd world dumping ground. 
• SLOW DOWN the Fast-Track!
• Significantly Extend the Comment Period
  
• Hold a Public Hearing in Endicott!
• Conduct a FULL Type-1 SEQR environmental review including an Environmental Impact Statement
  
• Invoke CP-29: Environmental Justice!
• DEC TRANSPARENCY:  Publish the Permit Docs on the INTERNET!
  
• Raise the Stack Height by at least 200’
  
• Baseline Ambient Air Test
• The Applicant should clearly state FUTURE PLANS, e.g., "Solvent Extraction"
  
• CONTINUOUS AIR MONITORING! Multiple sites.
  
• You must PROVE to this community: ZERO HARMFUL EMISSIONS!

Thank you,
(your name)
(your group)

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Help fight the Endicott Battery Incinerator!

Hi,

I'm sending this to a) friends & supporters, b) affinity groups, and

c) people who have made comments on this DEC Air Permit application. 

Basic Details

There is a proposed Lithium-ion Battery Recycling facility proposed for Endicott.

It potentially will emit almost 13M lbs of CO2 each year, 18,000 lbs of NOx,

Sulfuric Acid, Formaldehyde, Dioxins, Heavy Metals, Microparticles, Unspecified

Hydrocarbons, Hexavalent Chromium!!!, etc.

Some of these are KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER.

The facility is about 1/2 mile from my bedroom window!

But Don't Worry!

NYSDEC says there will be "no environmental or health concerns"

and has issued a "Negative Declaration", because, well,
Endicott is already contaminated! And the population is

just a bunch of immigrants, people of color, and section-8 welfare

recipients.

And it's complicated, hard to get support from the environmental
communuity, because everyone thinks we need these
batteries to power our "renewable future", thus, the need

for facilities like this to deal with recycling the spent batteries.

The local politicians are all on-board, and the DEC is playing

hide-and-seek (typical) keeping the community IN THE DARK

while the FAST TRACK this project.

People live here!

Our lives matter!!

IMPORTANT NEWS!

1. COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED
   DEC has extended the comment period to December 5.
      Details and sample letter HERE.
2. PERMIT FILES OBTAINED!
   I have obtained all of the files relating to the permit.
   DEC REFUSES TO MAKE THESE AVAILABLE on their website!!
   
   ... but don't worry!  I've OCR'd them to make them text-searchable,
   and made them available for browsing here:
3. 
   TinyURL.com/EndicottBatteryIncinerator
   
   Browse the files, or grab all of the files at once, like this:
   (do this from a desktop computer, not a mobile device)
   
   
   
   If you have time, please grab these files and look them over!
4. LIVE PODCAST SOON!
   I will be doing a live podcast about this permit soon.
   (Starting probably between 1pm to 2pm)
   
   I tried this on Friday, but had audio problems.
   + I've added new material!
   
   To catch it live, the best way is to SUBSCRIBE to the
   Bill Huston Podcast on Youtube:
   TinyURL.com/BillHustonPodcastSubscribe
   
   
   Be sure to click the bell and select "All Notifications".
   
   This could be long, maybe 2 hours.
   I will be releasing shorter clips later today. I hope it will be FUNNY, entertaining, and informative!
5. I have about $500 in urgent bills this month.
   
   After a high-paying technical carreer, I have chosen to do
   Public Service work Full-Time. I do ORIGINAL RESEARCH which
   no one else does. See: My Fracking Resume
   
   I live on the edge of poverty.
   I narrowly escaped HOMELESSNESS last month.
   
   Please consider making a donation in any amount if you appreciate my work.
   
   GO FUND ME: gofundme.com/f/bill-huston-podcast-support-112019
You can also continue to use PayPal: TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston
Or USPS: BH, PO Box 22, Endicott NY, 13761
A famous Youtuber from Oneonta raises $5,000 /mo!
I just need ~1/10th of that!!

Thank you!
BH

--
William Huston:  WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
Binghamton NY

Public Service Mapping / Videography / Research / Education / Safety Advocacy
Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter  -- Youtube -- Podcast Blog

Document collections: VirtualPipelines -- BHDCSDimockArchive
Please support my work! -- TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

To the lady in the big sedan who nearly ran over me at the Dollar General today...

To the lady in the big sedan who nearly ran over me (on my bike) at the Dollar General today, please SLOW THE HELL DOWN! 

Pay attention to your surroundings! 

This is called Situational Awareness. 

Remember, you are piloted a 4,000 lb vehicle powered by a 200 HP V8. 

YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME TODAY!!!

You must use MORE than your mirrors when backing up. Your mirrors only see directly behind you. YOU MUST ALSO TURN YOUR HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE and LOOK! 

There is really no excuse to jamming your car into reverse, and gunning the motor and running over a guy on a bike!!! 

GET YOUR HEAD AWAKE and AWARE

before you Kill Someone!!

Like me! 

... It's funny, because recently, I've been praying to God to end my suffering. Perhaps you are the angel sent to grant my wish. 

I guess in that moment, I decided that I DO want to live. 

So thank you for helping me clarify this. 

URGENT! Write to NYSDEC before 11/7!! Don't let the DEC continue to use Endicott as a DUMPING GROUND!!

UPDATE: The Applicant will hold a "public meeting" (which is NOT an NYSDEC Public Hearing), at the Huron Campus Auditorium, Wednesday, Nov. 6th, at 6:30 PM. The end of the comment period is FRIDAY Nov 8th. PLEASE WRITE or CALL to Joseph Dlugolenski using the contact info below BEFORE FRIDAY and ask for 1: a DEC Public Hearing, 2: 90 day extension of the comment period, and 3: that the NYSDEC provide official copies of all the relevant documents relating to this permit AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD on the internet for people to review. Thank you!! BH)

A "public meeting" sponsored by the Applicant is NOT THE SAME
as a public hearing sponsored by the NYSDEC!

Application-related documents:
https://plumley.egnyte.com/fl/abig3zb3hA

Video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR2Fd0qJHtcOs-n8hiEVseRtiAYke4YyR

More Info: https://billhustonpodcast.blogspot.com/2019/10/application-7-0346-0021800001-smcc-lib.html


Here is my sample letter to the NYS DEC. Please feel free to cut-and-paste, or use this as a basis for your letter. --BH

---------------------------------------------------------------

Joseph M Dlugolenski
NYSDEC Region 7 Cortland Sub-Office
1285 Fisher Ave
Cortland, NY 13045
(607)753-3095

DEP.R7@dec.ny.gov

subj: Application 7-0346-00218/00001 SMCC LIB Recycling Facility

Dear Mr. Dlugolenski,

I am a member of WBESC, an environmental group based in Endicott. 

As you know, Endicott has been treated as a dumping ground by industrial actors, and by NYSDEC for many years. 

Endicott has been shown as a cancer cluster by NIOSH/CDC. Many people here are sick and dying. 

Endicott is an Environmental Justice Community, with many poor people living here struggling to just survive. 

Any additional load to our water quality or air quality is if grave concern to the people who live here. 

As usual, NYSDEC has not made copies of relevant documents relating to the permit available electronically via the Internet where people can get access to them.

Supposedly they are at the library, however,

1: I just called the library and they CANNOT CONFIRM the documents are even there.

2: Paper copies cannot be searched for keywords, or copy/pasted, etc. 

3: Electronic copies have the potential to reach many more people, and are more protective of the environment, since no trees are killed. 

Since the charter of the NYSDEC is to protect the environment, the NYSDEC should take the approach which is most environmentally friendly. 

I can see in the ENB, the end of the comment period is Nov 8. 

http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20191009_reg7.html

So far, the applicant has been uncooperative in producing the application and other relevant documentation. 

Give all of these, I am asking the following from NYSDEC: 

1: EXTEND the public comment period 90 days

2: We DEMAND that NYSDEC stop treating this community as a Third World dumping ground, and grant us a public hearing which occurs at least 2 weeks prior to the end of the comment period.

3: NYSDEC should make electronic copies of the application, inc. all attachments, exhibits, correspondence, and replies, and all related documents available for download AT LEAST 2 weeks prior to the public hearing. 

Thank you,

William Huston

PO Box 22

Endicott NY 13761


Analysis (20m) WATCH THIS FIRST!
https://youtu.be/ODLnItN21i4



SMCC first informational session (90m):
https://youtu.be/iMl4sfVMfMI

Seeking house-sit, apt, or room in Greater Binghamton (Broome Co NY)

I'm still hoping to find a house-sit, or an apt, or even a room for rent (cheap or free) ideally in Union (Endicott, Endwell, JC), Vestal, or Binghamton for about 6 mos.

(I prefer in the valley and not up a huge hill, as I only have a bicycle. But I'm considering Any/All Offers!!)

For a shared space, prefer in a vegetarian household, and/or someone familiar with, and supportive of my work, but at this point, I'm not fussy!!

I am very low income at the moment. I can reliably pay up to $250/mo rent. I can pay up to $500/mo, but can be up to 6 weeks late. 

I have tried my best to support this local community with service for 20 years, starting with the Binghamton Progressive Media Center, then the Binghamton IMC. I did a public access TV show for many years. 

I was a board member of Binghamton chapter of Peace Action, and was active in the local Green Party for years. 

I have worked for a decade to fight fracking and fossil fuel infrastructure. 

TinyURL.com/BillHustonsFrackingResume 

TinyURL.com/BillHustonFrackingVideos

I lived in Dimock, PA (Fracking's Ground Zero) for about 20 months, in the center of the "Dimock Affected Area" where fracking contaminated the drinking water of over 65 people. I built the most extensive historical timeline of events to date, and a historical archive with over 33,000 documents from official sources (EPA, PA DEP) and press clippings. (see my signature below for links)

NO ONE PAID ME FOR ANY OF THIS! 

I am involved in a serious legal matter related to my activist work which, under advise of counsel, I cannot talk about. Suffice to say that someone or some corporate entity is spending a lot of money coming after me. 

I have been involved in several environmental and public safety campaigns over the years, such as fighting the i3 Electronics/Huron Campus SPDES permit modification to import waste to Endicott, and dump millions of gallons of waste into the Susquehanna River. 

And most recently logging about 2,000 hours of donated time into researching and education around a new experimental way of transporting natural gas: Ultra-High-Pressure Bulk-Haul CNG Tube-Trailers, a/k/a, #BombTrucks.

In Sanskrit, karma means work. 

I'm hoping these good works have purchased me some "good karma".  

On Friday (tomorrow), I become homeless. 

Thanks for sharing & caring. 

Contact:
email: WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
voice: 607-296-0671

More info about my plight:

https://billhustonpodcast.blogspot.com

Donate: TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

USPS: Wm Huston PO 22 Endicott NY 13761

Thank you. God bless you.

BH

--
William Huston:  WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
Binghamton NY

Public Service Mapping / Videography / Research / Education / Safety Advocacy
Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter  -- Youtube -- Podcast Blog

Document collections: VirtualPipelines -- BHDCSDimockArchive
Please support my work! -- TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

Seeking Cheap or Free Housing: Endicott/Vestal/Endwell area.

Friends, I am Seeking Cheap or Free Housing in 

IDEALLY: Endicott/Vestal/Endwell area, 

Less ideal: Binghamton/JC, elsewhere

immediately/ASAP, URGENT

 ... I am basically, homeless.

I can reasonably afford about $200/mo. reliably. I can pay up to $600/mo (inc. utilities), but my income is very spotty (as I largely rely on donations), so I am often late. I need a landlord who understands this. 

I have devoted my life to public service work for more than 10 years:  TinyURL.com/BillHustonsFrackingResume 

I have been in crisis for about 2 months. 

I have been dealt 4 or 5 major blows simultaneously.

★ Some are legal matters (relating to my activist work) which I cannot discuss. 

★ I am presently faced with eviction THIS WEEK. I have to have my things out by Wednesday. (I thought I had a lead on a place, but it fell through.)

★ My 23 y/o car is nearly undrivable. Many serious problems. Ready for scrap. 

★ I have very low income. I presently work p/t for a small environmental NGO, but it only pays ~$500/mo. My basic living expenses now are about $1200/mo. 

★ YES I plan on getting another job to supplement my income, but this is complicated: 

★ I have an obligation to complete a public service project which will take about 3 months to finish of full time work. My deficit now for basic living expenses is about $700/mo, so this budget is about $2k.  Working a normal job will not allow me to complete it. I've already missed a deadline. This (tangentially) relates to the legal matter which I cannot discuss, so I can't really tell you all the details. 

★ Finding a job (like finding an apt) takes time. Right now I am scrambling to figure out an emergency ditch-out plan to keep myself alive. 

★ Right now, my plan is something like: Stuff everything I care about into storage, and find a cheap motel/efficiency by the night/week. This will rapidly deplete the little cash I have.

I really could use some help, especially from someone familiar with, and supportive of my work. 

Ideally, I could use a 2 bedroom w/storage. 

(the 2nd bedroom for office/studio). 

Less ideally, I'll take just about anything, an efficiency, a bedroom, a couch. 

Or else, just some $ for a motel for a few nights are appreciated. 

Thank you.

BH

WilliamAHuston@gmail.com

607-296-0671

(please use my primary # if you know it)

My fracking Resume: TinyURL.com/BillHustonsFrackingResume

My PayPal (works best for most): TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

Alternate Paypal: paypal.me/BillHuston/ (fill in the blank)

or, [Donate $20]  -- [Donate $50]  -- [Donate $100]  -- [Donate $200]

My Present Situation: BillHustonPodcast.blogspot.com/2019/10/bh-911-out-of-moneytimehope-i-need.html

A collection of some of my videos from 10 years: Tinyurl.com/BillHustonFrackingVideos

--

William Huston:  WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
Binghamton NY

Public Service Mapping / Videography / Research / Education / Safety Advocacy
Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter  -- Youtube -- Podcast Blog

Document collections: VirtualPipelines -- BHDCSDimockArchive
Please support my work! -- TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

Many thanks! + Last update for a while

First I want to express extreme gratitude to EVERYONE who

a) donated money to help me

b) offered kind words of appreciation

c) shared by cry for help on email lists / social media

d) just sent prayers or best intentions

I received about 1/3 of what I needed.

($1700 of $5000).

Junk Car

And that $5k does not include the $400 I blew

trying to get my 23 y/o car back on the road.

It needs a ton of work, brakes, steering...

But the biggest issue is a blown rear engine seal.

It leaks oil out as fast as I put it in. I got it back to

Endicott, but it's basically not drivable (except

very short trips).  I think it's heading to the scrap yard.

My Angel Co-Pilot for the day.

Even though the car was a disaster, I must

express my DEEP THANKS to my friend GB

(and bother JB) who went above and beyond

to help a friend in need.

GB was one of my first friends I met in Binghamton.

(Introduced by MT) Probably 2002?

GB is like a spiritual master disguised as a giant Smurf.

It's REALLY DIFFICULT to deal with an emotional basket

case like me, and I honestly spent 1/2 of my time with

him sobbing uncontrollably.

He hugged me, called me brother, gave me pair of

lightly-worn hiking boots, was my co-pilot/wing man the

whole day as we tried to get my car home.

GB told me, through my tears:

"Bill, people love you.

People respect you.

People appreciate your work!
You deserve to live!

Forget the haters!

Don't focus on that.

Let it go.

Keep on going! Things will get better.

You have so much to give!

We need more people like you.

Keep looking forward. Don't look back.

When you mind slips into negative zones,

stories of failure, betrayal, abandonment,

personally attacks...

Go into the woods!

Look at the fall colors!

It's beautiful!

Look! there's a Red Tailed Hawk! See it?

We live in Heaven!"

So even though my car is DOA,
GB really helped me get my head straight.

Spending the day with GB was like an amazing gift,

disguised as a disaster.

I can't thank you enough, my brother.

Some breathing room

But thanks to YOU I now have some working capital

with which to do something.

I don't have enough to find a new place, and I

have to be out by Tuesday. I can't see how

I can accomplish everything I need to by then.

My newer friend EM took me to get boxes today.

I went out for shipping tape, and there I was in CVS.

My stress level is so great, I had trouble with basic math,

trying to figure out the best deal.

"Buy one and get the 2nd at Half Price!"

To hell with that! I just grabbed one randomly.

I went for Chinese take-out, and started crying as

I tried to place my order. The poor kid had no idea.

I got some tea and tried to cry softly, facing away,

so no one could hear.

He gave me three fortune cookies.

I haven't open them.

Baby Steps

I know I must focus on baby steps...

one ... thing...at..a...time...

My problems are so great, I have been really

considering riding my bike into the woods and

never coming back! Everyone has to go sometime.

Donate my body to the coyotes.

But then I would be letting down all of 124x of YOU,

who gave me your friendship, faith, kindness,

appreciation, and support over the years.

I KNOW the Earth is hurting.

I KNOW I have skills & talents no one else has. 

I KNOW I have a lot more I can do to help people,

protect water, protect the Earth. 

I know the Earth needs all of us.

I'm reminded of this quote by one of my friends (and heroes):

"It is time now to play the save the world symphony. I don't know what instrument you hold, but you need to play it as best as you can and find your place in the score. You don't have to play a solo here. But this is our task now.... No matter how difficult this is ..., we're going to have to..." -- Dr Sandra Steingraber, Bill Moyers & Co, 4/19/2013

So despite my tears of utter exasperation,

I will promise to try to persevere.

FOR YOU, and for the Earth, and for God.

10,000 thanks to a few of my Super Donors

who have gone WAY above and beyond.

You know who you are!! 

(a few: BA, VW, MS, DM, AM, SM, LM,

I can't name you all!
Sorry if I missed you)

So as of Tuesday, I am homeless.

I have no plan, no place to go, no car.

Maybe a miracle will appear before then.

My emergency ditch-out plan is to stuff as

much as I can into storage, but w/o a car or

someone with a truck, even this seems impossible.

Anyway, again... THANK YOU!!

I do not know where I would be without you.

I'm shutting off my computer now.

I don't know when I'll be back online.

(I'll still will have access via my phone for a while)

Please wish me luck, send good vibes, best intentions

(or maybe a silent prayer if you are into that)

BH

May You and All Beings

be Happy and Free from Suffering!

(ancient Buddhist prayer, "metta")

My fracking Resume: TinyURL.com/BillHustonsFrackingResume

My PayPal (works best for most): TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston

Alternate Paypal: paypal.me/BillHuston/ (fill in the blank)

or, [Donate $20]  -- [Donate $50]  -- [Donate $100]  -- [Donate $200]

My Present Situation: BillHustonPodcast.blogspot.com/2019/10/bh-911-out-of-moneytimehope-i-need.html

A collection of some of my videos from 10 years: Tinyurl.com/BillHustonFrackingVideos

--
William Huston:  WilliamAHuston@gmail.com
Binghamton NY

Public Service Mapping / Videography / Research / Education / Safety Advocacy
Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter  -- Youtube -- Podcast Blog

Document collections: VirtualPipelines -- BHDCSDimockArchive
Please support my work! -- TinyURL.com/DonateToBillHuston