St. Lawrence Cement has been engaged for the past several years in the process of obtaining the necessary permits for a replacement cement plant in Greenport, New York. The proposed Greenport plant would replace St. Lawrence’s existing plant in Catskill, NY, constructively improving air quality in the region. On October 21, the Company announced that it will seek revised air permits that reduce the maximum limits on air emissions of annual gross tons of primary components of concern (PM, NOx and SO2). This meaningful reduction in annual emissions of these components (28% overall) in permitted limits coincides with the Company’s new design for the replacement plant, which was unveiled last August. As a result of this innovative new design, the facility will not be visible at all from more than 90% of the surrounding area.
On September 9, the Company acknowledged the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner’s Second Interim decision to adjudicate issues such as air, visual, aesthetics and riverine habitat. The Company believes this decision will help move the process forward in a positive manner. The adjudicatory hearings will serve to reinforce St. Lawrence Cement’s position on the environmental benefits of the replacement project. The Company also acknowledged the DEC Commissioner’s Decision to ungrandfather its mine in the Town of Greenport for the purpose of the new plant. St Lawrence Cement is determined to build a world-class cement plant and to move this permitting process forward.
