Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Passport
  • Support WSKG
Donate
  • Donate
  • logo
  • logo
  • Donate
  • Home
  • News
  • TV
  • Your Radio
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Arts
  • Education
  • History
  • Science
  • Donate
  • More
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Passport
    • Support WSKG

WSKG - Local news and arts, broadcasting NPR radio and PBS TV.

WSKG thanks our sponsors...
  • Donate your vehicle to support WSKG

WSKG (https://wskg.org/news/whatever-its-called-some-endicott-residents-dont-want-it/)

  • Donate
  • Home
  • News
  • TV
  • Your Radio
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Arts
  • Education
  • History
  • Science
Listen Live WSKG
Listen Live WSKG Classical

Watch Live WSKG TV
Watch Live PBS Kids
Learn at Home
Covid-19 information

Whatever It’s Called, Some Endicott Residents Still Don’t Want It

By Jillian Forstadt | September 8, 2020
More
  • More on DEC
  • Subscribe to DEC
https://wskg.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Endicott-battery-update-web.mp3

BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) — Tension over a lithium-ion battery recycling facility planned for Endicott continues to stir confusion in the village. It is partly due to controversy over the use of high-temperature processes at the plant.

Lawn signs dispersed across Endicott read “No Incinerator”, although the NYSDEC said Wednesday the facility is not regulated as one. (Jillian Forstadt/WSKG).

Critics of the facility, operated by SungEel MCC Americas (SMCC), have called it an incinerator. Under regulatory definitions set by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), it’s not.

According to a statement Wednesday to WSKG from the DEC, it’s because the facility will not combust solid waste for disposal or fuel. Instead, the battery thermal treatment kiln at the facility will use high temperatures to treat the batteries so they can be crushed and recycled.

Incineration has been central to the message of the group of residents opposed to the facility. Lawns signs from NoBurnBroome on display throughout the village read “No Incinerator”.

NoBurnBroome held a Zoom meeting last week to brief media outlets on its new position paper. In it, the group writes the high-temperature process used in the kiln will produce toxic byproducts.

Paul Connett, science advisor for NoBurnBroome, said incineration may not be the purpose of the facility, but will still happen during the process.

“Toxic substances are being burnt, and that produces the same problems as incineration,” Connett said.

According to the DEC, toxic emissions from drying the batteries will be controlled and combusted with air pollution technology.

“Emissions from the high temperature thermal dryer are controlled by several air pollution control devices including an afterburner, or thermal oxidizer, which combusts organic emissions prior to an acid gas scrubber and baghouse for particle control,” the DEC wrote.

Development of the facility will remain on hold as the state agency awaits modified permit applications from SMCC,.  The applications were required after DEC discovered the presence of PFAS compounds in some batteries.

“Shortly after receiving this information, DEC informed SMCC that under the existing permit, the facility cannot process batteries containing PFAS,” the DEC wrote. “SMCC will need to apply for and receive a permit modification in order to process batteries containing PFAS compounds.”

The DEC said SMCC has not yet submitted the application materials and test plans necessary to modify its permit.

Recent Posts

  • New York Announces Agreement To Decommission Indian Point Nuclear Plant

    BUFFALO, NY (WBFO) - New York state leaders say an agreement has been reached concerning the decommissioning and cleanup of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in the lower Hudson Valley. If approved by the state Public Service Commission, the agreement would transfer ownership of the facility from Entergy to Holtec International.

  • PA’s House Speaker Tests Positive For COVID-19

    HARRISBURG, PA (WSKG)– The speaker of the Pennsylvania House has tested positive for the coronavirus. Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster County) started quarantining three days ago, after learning he was exposed to someone with the coronavirus.

  • COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop in New York, While Vaccinations Climb

    NEW YORK NOW - More than half of eligible adults in New York have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and hospitalizations from the virus dropped to their lowest point since the start of December, Gov. Cuomo said Thursday. Hospitalizations, in particular, had plateaued in recent weeks, with the hope that higher vaccination rates would lead to fewer patients requiring treatment for the virus.

  • A view of the Greenidge Generation plant with steam billowing from one of two cooling towers
    Torrey Board To Consider Greenidge Cryptocurrency Plan Monday

    Updated: 4/16/21 – 2:15 P.M. ENDWELL, NY (WSKG) — The fate of Greenidge Generation’s plan to expand cryptocurrency mining operations at its power facility along Seneca Lake will be decided by the Town of Torrey Planning Board Monday. Environmental advocates have been pushing back against the proposal, which they allege will lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions by the plant and other detrimental impacts.

  • Binghamton Advocates Push Parole Reform, Thank Lupardo For Support

    BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) — Advocates in Binghamton gathered on Thursday to back parole reform legislation pushed by some lawmakers in Albany and ask for further changes to prevent re-incarceration. One of the bills garnering attention would expand parole eligibility to those who are 55 or older and serving long sentences.

WSKG thanks our sponsors...

About WSKG

WSKG connects you to local and global news and the arts online, on the radio, and on TV. NPR and PBS affiliate.

Contact Us

email: WSKGcomment@wskg.org

phone: 607.729.0100

address: 601 Gates Road, Vestal, NY 13850

DONATE

Pay an underwriting invoice

  • WSKG
  • Arts
  • Education
  • Science
  • News
  • Your Radio
  • Schedule
  • TV
  • About
  • WSKG Staff
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Public Reports & Policies
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
  • Protect My Public Media
FCC PUBLIC FILES
WSKG-FM
WSQX-FM
WSQG-FM
WSQE
WSQA
WSQC-FM
WSQN
WSKG-TV
WSKA
Disabled and need assistance with the online FCC public file?
Contact Gregory Keeler
WSKG
601 Gates Road
Vestal, New York 13850
607-729-0100
gkeeler@wskg.org

Stay Connected

Like Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on InstagramSubscribe via RSS

© Copyright 2021, WSKG

Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Back to top ↑

Change Location
To find awesome listings near you!