August 26, 2020
Press Release from No Burn Broome
For More Information contact:
Ellen Connett, 607-217-5350
NoBurnBroome.com will hold a mini-march and vigil on Thursday, August 27 at 11:00 am in opposition to the SungEel MCC lithium-ion battery incinerator. The meet-up will start at 10:45 am in the parking lot behind the Endicott Library, 1001 Park Street and proceed to the Endicott Municipal Building. Bring your Lawn Sign or your own Poster. Note: COVID-19 precautions will be adhered to. All participants in the march and vigil need to wear a mask and practice social-distancing.
The Endicott Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting on Thursday, August 27 at 6:00 pm regarding the SungEel MCC lithium-ion battery incinerator. This meeting replaces the cancelled August 20 meeting. The meeting link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81458705460. Meeting ID: 814 5870 5460. Dial-in phone number 1-929-436-2866. Source: https://endicottny.com/local-government/board-meetings/
In late March 2020 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) approved an Air Permit (link added) which allows SungEel MCC to operate a lithium-ion battery recycling operation that uses incineration in its processing at the former IBM facility at Clark Street and Robble Avenue. The DEC approved permit will allow for the emission of four human carcinogens into the air: dioxin, chromium-6, formaldehyde, and beryllium.
On May 8, Endicott Trustees voted 3-2 for a zoning law change that cleared the way for the SungEel MCC carcinogen-emitting facility to begin operations. On May 20, the DEC re-opened the air toxics permit because the agency said they recently learned that some lithium-ion batteries may contain PFAS chemicals. That review and community activism by NoBurnBroome has temporarily halted SungEel MCC from proceeding.
The fight is not over! Broome County residents want elected officials to represent their best interests in the pursuit of expanding opportunities for everyone but not at a cost to their health or the environment in the process. We encourage all concerned citizens to join us at the mini march/vigil on August 27 and at the August 27 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to add your voice to the growing opposition to this facility.