USA - St Lawrence Cement gets backing for new works

The Business Council of New York State has backed the proposal of St Lawrence Cement to close its existing Catskill, Green County plant and build a more modern works across the Hudson River. Trebling in effect cement production capacity of the old unit, the new plant will be located in an existing quarry between Greenport and the City of Hudson.

Environmental groups disregard the fact that modern pollution control systems will reduce toxic emissions, now released into the air by the Catskill plant. They say the plant – thetallest structure between Albany and NYC – will damage the scenery and increase particulate emissions.

However, Business Council president Daniel Walsh said that the council supports the plant because it will retain jobs, reduce some pollution and water intake from the Hudson and “stimulate the regional economy”.