Erie Coke and its sister plant in Buffalo (Tonawanda Coke) have a long history of violations and penalties which a federal judge once described as “singularly inexcusable.” The Buffalo coke plant was just ordered by New York state to cease operations due to its flagrant disregard for air pollution law.

The permit renewal process has been relegated to Enhanced Public Participation as the facility is located in an Environmental Justice Community. This special Environmental Justice review process is due to community concerns regarding the impact of operations at Erie Coke on neighboring communities and environment.
DEP has committed to the community that a public meeting and hearing will be held as part of the permit renewal process. The timeline has not been indicated other than late fall/early winter 2019. Experience shows that if the public is not vocal during the upcoming public hearing about the Title V permit, (and does not also routinely report complaints), the opportunity for interventions will not be as robust.

While the ill-health and social in-equities are bad enough, the additional reality is that the constant visual of the back emission plume from EC is a statement written in the sky that risks sending a message that our community does not adequately stand up for itself and could be caught in “growth at any cost” economic philosophies of yesteryear. The new economy assures that quality of life comes first, then followed by prosperity. EC’s pollution is no longer the smell of money but rather the smell of economic detriment.

The smells and toxic emissions plumes are not consistent with Erie’s new resolve to be a 21st century place of choice to live, work, and play