Norlite Timeline
As Norlite submits renewal application to the state, 70 families forced to move over hazardous air pollution.
In a letter to Norlite executive, Cohoes Mayor William Keeler made it clear: "the ONLY reason I have been advocating for the relocation of 70 families from their homes in Saratoga Sites is because of Norlite's uncontrolled fugitive dush, and chronic violations of regulations governing the company's incineration of hazardous waste adjacent to this much needed housing." (original emphasis)
Norlite is a hazardous waste incinerator and a serial violator of environmental law. The facility just submitted its application to renew hazardous waste and Title V air toxics permits.
Lights Out Norlite applauds Mayor Keeler's letter. While moving the residents of Saratoga Sites away from Norlite's toxic pollution will provide much needed relief, there are still 50,000 people in Cohoes and Troy immediately downwind of this plant.
It's time for the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation to deny Norlite's permits!
Read Mayor Keelers Letter >>>March 3, 2022Cohoes Housing Authority Votes to Sell Saratoga Sites
70 families living next to Norlite will see relief from toxic air emissions if the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development accepts the Cohoes Housing Authority's application to relocate them.
The Housing Authority voted to sell the property to the City of Cohoes, even though Norlite was the higher bidder.
Photo: Times Union
Watch the News ClipFebruary 28, 2022Assemblymember McDonald, Lights Out Norlite Urge Action on Toxic Fly Ash
For decades, Norlite has mixed toxic fly ash from its pollution controls into a construction product called block mix. Norlite had been allowed to do this under an exemption to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act called the Bevill Amendment.
Effective April 19, 2020, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation repealed Norlite's exemption under the Bevill Amendment, meaning the company can no longer mix toxic ash into its products. However, the Acting DEC Regional Director Anthony Luisi wrote in a letter on June 4th, 2021 that DEC will not enforce this change until Norlite's permits are renewed. Norlite's permits expired more than a year ago.
In the meantime, Norlite continues to store toxic ash in open air piles in Cohoes. The ash contains some of the most dangerous pollutants from burning hazardous waste.
Lights Out Norlite held a press conference at the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation where they were joined by NYS Assemblymember John McDonald.
Read the Press ReleaseJanuary 21st, 2022
Norlite's Permits Expired for One Year
Since December 31st, 2021, Norlite has been operating with expired permits under administrative extension by the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
January 1st, 2022122 Organizations Call on NY DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos to Reject Norlite Incinerator Pollution Permits
Lights Out Norlite delivered a letter to NYS Dept. of Environmental conservation sigend by 122 community organizations, including the League of Women Voters of NYS, the NYS Council of Churches, NAACP Troy, Riverkeeper, Food & Water Watch, Troy Central Little League, TAP, and Soul Fire Farm.
Read the letter and coverage from WNYT.
Read the press releaseMarch 19, 2021Residents Announce Class Action Lawsuit
Researchers and Community Members Respond to DEC Soil and Water Study
After analyzing the NYS DEC's 449-page report on the results of soil and water sampling around Norlite, researchers and community leaders wrote a letter to DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos strongly disagreeing with the study's conclusions. The DEC study concluded "no clear link to Norlite's operations, no indication of human health risk" as a result of Norlite burning millions of pounds of PFAS-containing AFFF fire fighting foam.
NYS DEC Release Soil and Water Survey Results
The 449-page report was delivered to the community and officials 5 months after the study was announced. The press release from the DEC reads, "DEC's Comprehensive Study of PFAS and Metals Finds No Clear Link to Norlite's Operations, No Indication of Human Health Risk."
Read the DEC Report HereMarch 9, 2021Independent Tests Show Razor-Sharp Glass in Fugitive Dust from Norlite
Dr. Dave Walker, PhD Geologist retired from Columbia University, examined dust samples taken from Saratoga Sites and the attic of Ed Sokol, who lives across the street. The samples resembled volcanic glass and matched a sample of Norlite aggregate. Volcanic glass is known to cause silicosis, a progressive and deadly lung disease. Norlite's Material Safety Data Sheet shows that Norlite's aggregate product can cause serious respiratory disease.
Fire at Norlite
A plume of black smoke could be seen from 787 after a fire broke out at the Norlite hazardous waste incinerator in Cohoes on Monday. Hours after the fire had been contained, a heavy, noxious chemical smell, described as something like a dry-erase marker or paint, lingered in the air at Saratoga Sites. This is the second fire at Norlite in under a year, since another fire occurred in February of 2020.
Norlite's state permits officially expired
Norlite's state permits officially expired, but they are allowed to continue burning via "Administrative Extension" through the State Administrative Procedure Act.
December 31st, 2020Cohoes City Council votes unanimously to impose a tax on Norlite's income from hazardous waste
The measure, proposed by Mayor Bill Keeler, imposes a 4% tax on Norlite's receipts for accepting hazardous waste. It is not yet clear what that amount will be. The first tax payment will be made in March of 2020. Community members at the meeting called for a local law to ban the burning of hazardous waste in Cohoes.Read about the tax in the Times UnionDecember 31st, 2020Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler proposes a tax on Norlite incinerator’s hazardous waste revenue
Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler proposes a Local Law to tax the income received by Norlite LLC for its treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. Norlite makes annual property, water, and sewer tax payments to the City of Cohoes. In addition, beginning in 2012, Norlite had paid a monthly voluntary contribution totaling $100,000 annually to the City of Cohoes. Norlite stopped making those payments in March 2020, having paid a total of $16,667 in 2020. Mayor Keeler said that the proposed tax wouldn't affect his decision on the potential for a local law to ban the burning of hazardous waste in Cohoes.
Hear HMM's interview with Mayor Keeler on the proposed taxDecember 31st, 2020DEC releases Norlite's Enforcement History since 1990
This document details 30 years DEC's enforcement actions against Norlite starting June 21, 1990. The actions total $826,000, $727,000 in penalties and $99,000 in "environmental benefit projects."
Read about why Norlite incurred decades' worth of penalties.November 24 2020Cuomo administration working behind the scenes to gut the Norlite Bill
The NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation is working to gut the McDonald-Breslin bill by making it a statewide moratorium. To the normal person that might sound great. But it actually means it gives the DEC the authority to regulate the toxin which is something that we cannot trust.
Residents of Cohoes learned in February that a hazardous waste incinerator owned by Norlite LLC, had been burning shipments of toxic firefighting foam. In response to public concern about the health risks, a bill banning the incineration of the foam in Cohoes passed the Senate and Assembly unanimously in June. (DEC's) on-site monitor said that he was aware that the foam was being burned in 2018. But DEC said it was not aware the foam was being burned until “late 2019.”
Joe Ritchie, E.D, of Saratoga Sites Against Norlite Emissions (SSANE) warns NY DEC is gutting the Norlite Bill
"The state DEC wants to gut the McDonald-Breslin bill by making it a statewide moratorium. To the normal person that might sound great. But it actually means it gives the DEC the authority to regulate the toxin which is something that we cannot trust."
Read moreOctober 2020Saratoga Sites residents file intent to sue against Norlite
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Neighbors plan on taking Norlite to federal court"
Read the Intent to SueJune 2020Navy halts PFAs shipment to Norlite after media coverage
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Navy says it will halt all PFAS shipments to Cohoes' burn plant"
May 2020
Department of Defense cancels contract with Norlite
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "State tells Norlite no foam incineration, as federal contract done"
May 2020
Earthjustice files a lawsuit against Norlite for burning of PFOAs
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Activists file lawsuit over Cohoes Norlite plant burning, storing PFOA for Defense Department"
Covered by The Troy Record in "Norlite facility in Cohoes accused of burning firefighting foam for DOD"
February 2020Department of Environmental Conservation fines Norlite for 90k in violations
Covered by The Daily Gazette in "State fines Cohoes company $90K for hazardous waste violations"
2010Norlite exceeds federal emissions limit 43 times in 4 months
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "A foul mix into our air"
2009Local organizing group called Citizens Halting Risks of Norlite Industrial Contaminants (CHRONIC) is founded
Covered by The Troy Record in "Meeting sheds little 'lite"
2003Department of Environmental Conservation fines Norlite for over 30 violations
Covered by The Troy Record in "State cites Norlite Corp. for more violations"
December 2002Norlite pleads guilty to environmental crimes that occurred between 1999 and 2000
Covered by the New York State Office of the Attorney General in "Cohoes Company Pleads Guilty To Environmental Crimes"
May 2002Norlite's state permits officially expired
Norlite's state permits officially expired, but they are allowed to continue burning via "Administrative Extension" through the State Administrative Procedure Act.
December 31st, 2020Cohoes City Council votes unanimously to impose a tax on Norlite's income from hazardous waste
The measure, proposed by Mayor Bill Keeler, imposes a 4% tax on Norlite's receipts for accepting hazardous waste. It is not yet clear what that amount will be. The first tax payment will be made in March of 2020. Community members at the meeting called for a local law to ban the burning of hazardous waste in Cohoes.Read about the tax in the Times UnionDecember 31st, 2020Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler proposes a tax on Norlite incinerator’s hazardous waste revenue
Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler proposes a Local Law to tax the income received by Norlite LLC for its treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. Norlite makes annual property, water, and sewer tax payments to the City of Cohoes. In addition, beginning in 2012, Norlite had paid a monthly voluntary contribution totaling $100,000 annually to the City of Cohoes. Norlite stopped making those payments in March 2020, having paid a total of $16,667 in 2020. Mayor Keeler said that the proposed tax wouldn't affect his decision on the potential for a local law to ban the burning of hazardous waste in Cohoes.
Hear HMM's interview with Mayor Keeler on the proposed taxDecember 31st, 2020DEC releases Norlite's Enforcement History since 1990
This document details 30 years DEC's enforcement actions against Norlite starting June 21, 1990. The actions total $826,000, $727,000 in penalties and $99,000 in "environmental benefit projects."
Read about why Norlite incurred decades' worth of penalties.November 24 2020Cuomo administration working behind the scenes to gut the Norlite Bill
The NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation is working to gut the McDonald-Breslin bill by making it a statewide moratorium. To the normal person that might sound great. But it actually means it gives the DEC the authority to regulate the toxin which is something that we cannot trust.
Residents of Cohoes learned in February that a hazardous waste incinerator owned by Norlite LLC, had been burning shipments of toxic firefighting foam. In response to public concern about the health risks, a bill banning the incineration of the foam in Cohoes passed the Senate and Assembly unanimously in June. (DEC's) on-site monitor said that he was aware that the foam was being burned in 2018. But DEC said it was not aware the foam was being burned until “late 2019.”
Joe Ritchie, E.D, of Saratoga Sites Against Norlite Emissions (SSANE) warns NY DEC is gutting the Norlite Bill
"The state DEC wants to gut the McDonald-Breslin bill by making it a statewide moratorium. To the normal person that might sound great. But it actually means it gives the DEC the authority to regulate the toxin which is something that we cannot trust."
Read moreOctober 2020Saratoga Sites residents file intent to sue against Norlite
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Neighbors plan on taking Norlite to federal court"
Read the Intent to SueJune 2020Navy halts PFAs shipment to Norlite after media coverage
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Navy says it will halt all PFAS shipments to Cohoes' burn plant"
May 2020
Department of Defense cancels contract with Norlite
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "State tells Norlite no foam incineration, as federal contract done"
May 2020
Earthjustice files a lawsuit against Norlite for burning of PFOAs
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Activists file lawsuit over Cohoes Norlite plant burning, storing PFOA for Defense Department"
Covered by The Troy Record in "Norlite facility in Cohoes accused of burning firefighting foam for DOD"
February 2020Department of Environmental Conservation fines Norlite for 90k in violations
Covered by The Daily Gazette in "State fines Cohoes company $90K for hazardous waste violations"
2010Norlite exceeds federal emissions limit 43 times in 4 months
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "A foul mix into our air"
2009Local organizing group called Citizens Halting Risks of Norlite Industrial Contaminants (CHRONIC) is founded
Covered by The Troy Record in "Meeting sheds little 'lite"
2003Department of Environmental Conservation fines Norlite for over 30 violations
Covered by The Troy Record in "State cites Norlite Corp. for more violations"
December 2002Norlite pleads guilty to environmental crimes that occurred between 1999 and 2000
Covered by the New York State Office of the Attorney General in "Cohoes Company Pleads Guilty To Environmental Crimes"
May 2002DEC releases Norlite's Enforcement History since 1990
This document details 30 years DEC's enforcement actions against Norlite starting June 21, 1990. The actions total $826,000, $727,000 in penalties and $99,000 in "environmental benefit projects."
Read about why Norlite incurred decades' worth of penalties.November 24 2020Cuomo administration working behind the scenes to gut the Norlite Bill
The NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation is working to gut the McDonald-Breslin bill by making it a statewide moratorium. To the normal person that might sound great. But it actually means it gives the DEC the authority to regulate the toxin which is something that we cannot trust.
Residents of Cohoes learned in February that a hazardous waste incinerator owned by Norlite LLC, had been burning shipments of toxic firefighting foam. In response to public concern about the health risks, a bill banning the incineration of the foam in Cohoes passed the Senate and Assembly unanimously in June. (DEC's) on-site monitor said that he was aware that the foam was being burned in 2018. But DEC said it was not aware the foam was being burned until “late 2019.”
Joe Ritchie, E.D, of Saratoga Sites Against Norlite Emissions (SSANE) warns NY DEC is gutting the Norlite Bill
"The state DEC wants to gut the McDonald-Breslin bill by making it a statewide moratorium. To the normal person that might sound great. But it actually means it gives the DEC the authority to regulate the toxin which is something that we cannot trust."
Read moreOctober 2020Saratoga Sites residents file intent to sue against Norlite
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Neighbors plan on taking Norlite to federal court"
Read the Intent to SueJune 2020Navy halts PFAs shipment to Norlite after media coverage
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Navy says it will halt all PFAS shipments to Cohoes' burn plant"
May 2020
Department of Defense cancels contract with Norlite
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "State tells Norlite no foam incineration, as federal contract done"
May 2020
Earthjustice files a lawsuit against Norlite for burning of PFOAs
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "Activists file lawsuit over Cohoes Norlite plant burning, storing PFOA for Defense Department"
Covered by The Troy Record in "Norlite facility in Cohoes accused of burning firefighting foam for DOD"
February 2020Department of Environmental Conservation fines Norlite for 90k in violations
Covered by The Daily Gazette in "State fines Cohoes company $90K for hazardous waste violations"
2010Norlite exceeds federal emissions limit 43 times in 4 months
Covered by The Albany Times Union in "A foul mix into our air"
2009Local organizing group called Citizens Halting Risks of Norlite Industrial Contaminants (CHRONIC) is founded
Covered by The Troy Record in "Meeting sheds little 'lite"
2003Department of Environmental Conservation fines Norlite for over 30 violations
Covered by The Troy Record in "State cites Norlite Corp. for more violations"
December 2002Norlite pleads guilty to environmental crimes that occurred between 1999 and 2000
Covered by the New York State Office of the Attorney General in "Cohoes Company Pleads Guilty To Environmental Crimes"
May 2002