Environmental advocates want AG, DEC to hold Norlite accountable

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Cohoes residents said they’re still dealing with toxic dust from the Norlite facility. Environmental advocates rallied Thursday to urge the state to settle a lawsuit, so cleanup at the plant can begin.

“Lights Out Norlite” held another press conference to highlight their actions, as they press the Attorney General’s Office to hold Norlite accountable for a rap sheet of environmental violations. 

In a letter, the group sought protections because, they said, they are still breathing in silica dust and other hazardous material.

Brad Blauhut needs to wear a respirator when entering parts of his home. He’s lived less than a quarter mile from Norlite for the last 25 years.

“I probably would not have bought this house had I known,” said Blauhut, who said he first noticed the dust when it collected on his car. 

Now, he chooses not to enter his attic. If he must, he won’t enter without a respirator because of the dust and soot that’s accumulated. Blauhut said it galvanized him into action.

“I had to get involved because I can’t just sit by and breathe this crap,” said Blauhut.

He was at the rally with Judith Enck, a former Environmental Protection Agency administrator appointed under the Obama administration. 

“I’ve worked on environmental problems for decades, and the burning of massive amounts of hazardous waste at Norlite is one of the worst I’ve seen in a very long time,” said Enck.

Three years after the Attorney General and the Department of Environmental Conservation filed a lawsuit against Norlite for its history of environmental violation, “Lights Out Norlite” sent a letter to AG Letitia James that called for the removal of carcinogenic piles that are blowing across the Capital Region.

“We want this lawsuit either to be settled quickly this year or go to trial. I think the Attorney General’s Office has been patient. Three years is a long time to be at the negotiating table,” said Enck.

In a statement a company spokesperson said: “The Norlite Facility continues to have limited operations as we evaluate our next steps, and we will update the community as decisions are made. Norlite continues to have a productive dialogue with the state in connection with these decisions. It remains Norlite’s objective to see a restoration of full employment at the Norlite facility.”

“They need to be responsible corporate citizens. If they’re going to permanently not burn hazardous waste, they need to tell the community this,” said Enck.

“We’re still getting this toxic dust and this is our health, our lives. They don’t care because they don’t live near here,” said Blauhut. 

For the first time, they’re suggesting a new solution. They want to see the site remediated and want to see the current operations replaced with renewable energy. Enck said they’d love to see a solar field or look into the feasibility of geothermal.

“I think if Norlite was a responsible citizen, they would pay the cost of retraining workers to install solar panels or geothermal and commit to a just transition and then hire those same workers back for clean energy at the site,” said Enck.

She added, it’s disappointing that the issues have persisted for decades. “The facts are very strong and we’re going to stay involved. We were giving the state time. We applauded the lawsuit that was filed three years ago. But three years is too long. And so we are re-energized. We’re really pleased too, that the hazardous waste burning has stopped. But that’s not the whole story.”

“We need to continue to hold meetings with elected officials, try to get the Attorney General’s Office and the DEC to make some public statements on what is going on with the case because it’s been radio silence,” said Enck.

The AG’s Office said, while the litigation continues the preliminary injunction remains in place, prohibiting Norlite from emitting certain levels of particulate matter. The DEC issued a statement that said: “We remain committed to ensuring the company takes necessary corrective actions to address serious and preventable air quality violations.”

“I suspect that they don’t want a focus on the soil and water contamination that may exist at the site because that needs to be remediated. They can’t just close the gate and say we’re done,” said Enck. “We still have state and federal environmental laws that require cleanup.”

Enck said there’s a reason they keep the pressure on and are not going to let their foot off the gas.

“We only get a response when we’re publicly visible,” said Enck.