Public comment template for residents of South Glens Falls who live in this Census Tract (36091060200) [not designated by state as disadvantaged]

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·     “My name is ___. I live in South Glens Falls.”

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Consider talking about your community’s preexisting Health Burdens, for example:

·     “My community already experiences high health burdens.”
 

·     “For example, my community experiences very high rates of an inflammatory lung disease known as COPD.”
 

·     “Our Census Tract’s average annual age-adjusted emergency department visits for COPD are higher than those in 75% of all Tracts in the state.”

Consider talking about your community’s preexisting Pollution Burdens, for example:

·     “My community is also subject to significant pollution burdens.”
 

·     “The State’s Disadvantaged Communities map puts us in the 91st percentile for proximity to Regulated Management Sites.”
 

·     “In other words, our risk of experiencing a potential chemical accident is already way too high.”

Consider talking about how DEC should be decreasing pollution in and around Moreau, not licensing it:

·     “DEC should be working to reduce health burdens in my community by reducing the cumulative pollution we are exposed to.”
 

·     “Instead, the agency is unconscionably considering putting our health at further risk by allowing a corporation to further pollute our environment.”
 

·     “South Glens is also adjacent to legally designated disadvantaged communities to its North, with very high health and pollution burdens.”
 

·     “Of all the places in the world to build this facility, why is Saratoga Biochar choosing a location so close to already struggling communities?”

Consider talking about some air pollution concerns:

·     “Modeling in Saratoga Biochar’s Air Permit Application indicates that the Saratoga Biochar Facility will release co-pollutants into our community.”
 

·     “For example, maps in the company’s permit application show PFOA emissions will reach our community, which is particularly concerning as this substances accumulates in the environment over time.”
 

·     “Of PFOA, EPA says ‘Human studies have found associations between PFOA and/or PFOS exposure and several types of health effects including the liver, the immune system, the cardiovascular system, human development (e.g., decreased birth weight), and cancer.’”
 

·     The permit materials also lack sufficient air emissions testing procedures. Tests are far too infrequent. (The DEC draft air permit requires testing once every 5 years.)

 

NOTE: [If you want to raise doubts about the usefulness of Biochar Product, see Appendix]

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Also consider talking about your right to a healthful environment:

·     “In addition, under Article 1 section 19 of the New York State Constitution, I have a right to clean air and water, and a healthful environment.”

 

Consider closing by reiterating your concerns about your community’s health burdens:

·     “Why should we continue to deal with higher adverse health burdens than most New Yorkers?”

·     “Does DEC think our community is expendable?”

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CLICK HERE for more background info...

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