Proposed Battery Recycling Facility in Endicott, NY a Hazard

Published by Barbara Arrindell at December 3, 2019

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Bill Huston, an independent researcher and environmental activist, has done extensive research on the proposed Battery Recycling Facility, planned for the old IBM site in Endicott, NY. The NY DEC is asking for comments on the facility until December 5. Scroll down for more information from Bill Huston.

Yes, everyone wants renewable energy and wants batteries (specifically high current ones – these are the new type of batteries). But are we thinking about the whole picture – “cradle to grave”? AND the environmental in-justice of locating another waste facility in a community with multiple legacy environmental stressors. In the wider picture, the air pollution created by this facility will be regional and larger.

There must be better ways to recycle high current batteries. If not, we better figure it out very quickly! This is not zero emissions. The plant is slated to emit at least three carcinogens; formaldehyde, hexavalent Chromium, and dioxins – all very bioactive, especially as the ultrafine particles in ‘allowed’ air pollution. Much better is ZERO emission planning from the start. Plus we better have serious consideration about the toxicity of the disposal of high current batteries already in existence – this is not acceptable.

Please, if you can, read through these docs, and make a comment to the NY DEC by Thursday, Dec 5. Please include in your comments a demand for a 90 day extension and a public hearing.

Instructions for Commenting & Sample Letter

Bill thinks that this particular site might also be planned for what is called ’solvent extraction’ of the metals, including Cobalt, Nickel and Lithium. The output of the facility’s incineration process is planned to go to Korea for the final step to extract the re-usable metals. This final step is very water intensive, and produces a toxic solvent waste stream. Because of the proximity of the idled industrial wastewater treatment plant, built by IBM in the 1980’s, adjacent to the proposed battery facility, there is the potential for a huge expansion of the Endicott Battery Facility and associated in-house solvent extraction.

So output is re-usable metals – yes – and air pollution and also potentially water pollution going into the Susquehanna River above Endicott’s drinking water up-takes.

From Bill Huston:

I’ve got a major update to the Endicott Battery Facility Saga.

Background:

Monday, November 25, 2019
Help fight the Endicott Battery Incinerator!
Thursday, October 24, 2019
URGENT! Write to NYSDEC before 11/7!! Don’t let the DEC continue to use Endicott as a DUMPING GROUND!!

UPDATE:

1: I’ve got the docs! (so you can get them too!)
TinyURL.com/EndicottBatteryIncinerator

2: I’ve made an 8-part video series.

I’ve put an incredible amount of time making these videos!

It’s very comprehensive, and delves into related areas like

Nonviolent Direct Action
Metaphysics
CELDF Democracy School.
NY SEQRA law,
Police Powers,
Endicott’s Toxic Legacy
“Permit & Regulate” vs. Prohibit
The Enclosure Scam, 1000 years old and still going strong!
“Environmental Justice”
Cartoons and jokes!
Special “Easter Eggs”
(short funny clips from a classic British TV comedy)

If you’ve ever fought a facility Air Permit or Surface Water Discharge permit before, I’m sure you will find this interesting, educational, and hopefully entertaining.