Presbytery of Western New York
Opposes Toxic Landfill Expansion Press Release:
Contact: Gladys Gifford, 836-2825 gladys.gifford@presbynet.org;
Presbytery of Western New York, 668-1995, info@pbywny.org
The Presbytery of Western New York, at its meeting in Jamestown, NY, on September 23, 2008, took action opposing any further expansion of the toxic landfill in Niagara County.
A resolution was passed which called upon New York Governor David Paterson and Department of Environmental conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis to deny any permit request by Chemical Waste Management to expand their facility.
Chemical Waste Management (CWM) currently imports toxic waste from about thirty states for landfilling in Niagara County near Lake Ontario. PCBs from their property leak into the lake. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has declared that there is no need for additional landfills at this time. In addition, technologies exist for decontaminating toxic wastes which make landfilling an outmoded and unnecessary method of disposing of them.
In support of the resolution, the Presbytery called upon members of Presbyterian congregations to write individual letters opposing expansion of the landfill.
This action by the Presbytery is similar to one taken by the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ on June 6-8, 2008.
Church groups, emphasizing care for creation and concern for the health of all people, are increasingly taking action demanding that the environment be protected and that commercial interests not be allowed to harm the environment and endanger people. Read the Resolution Read a letter sent from Clint McCoy, Synod of the Northeast Executive for Partnerships, to John Iannotti of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
