Clinton Applauds EPA Decision on Newton Falls Fine Paper
Clinton Applauds EPA Decision on Newton Falls Fine Paper
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today applauded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decision that removes a major obstacle to efforts to restart the paper mill in Newton Falls, NY. The decision follows a phone call from Senator Clinton to EPA Regional Administrator Alan Steinberg last Tuesday, and a December 2006 letter from Senator Clinton and Congressman McHugh.
"This is a big step towards getting the paper mill up and running and putting people back to work in Newton Falls," said Senator Clinton. "I am glad that EPA made the right decision, and I look forward to continuing to work with Newton Falls Fine Paper to help keep this project moving along."
The EPA decision today eliminates the possibility that a lengthy and costly review process would be required. Company officials had indicated that the requirement of such a review would likely put a stop to their bid to restart the paper mill, which has been closed since 2000. After hearing from local elected officials and community leaders, Senator Clinton initially wrote to EPA Regional Administrator Steinberg in December of 2006. She followed up with a phone call to Mr. Steinberg last Tuesday, and today received word of EPA's decision by phone from Mr. Steinberg.
The text of the December 6, 2006 letter appears below:
December 6, 2006
Mr. Alan J. Steinberg
Regional Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
290 Broadway Avenue
New York, NY 10007-1866
Dear Regional Administrator Steinberg:
We write to you in regards to an important decision pending in your office. You have been asked by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to make a determination as to whether the restart of a paper mill in Newton Falls, New York would require a full Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) review. The review pertains to a permit issued under Title V of the Clean Air Act that is due to expire on August 4, 2009.
Newton Falls Fine Paper Company plans to restart the mill, a move that would immediately create 97 high-paying jobs and offer the promise of future job growth. Restarting the mill is critical to reversing an alarming downward economic spiral and de-population of the Western Adirondack and Southern St. Lawrence County regions in Northern New York. The mill would also bolster the local school system, help to retain the regional hospital and provide economic life to many small business owners.
We support strong enforcement of the Clean Air Act to protect public health and the environment. We also believe that the decision about whether to require a full PSD review should consider the circumstances at the mill, whose representatives have informed us that the facility has been maintained consistently since it closed in 2000 with an eye towards being able to restart the mill quickly and in compliance with the law.
We strongly urge you to consider the economic importance of the mill to New York, and to move swiftly to provide an indication about whether a full PSD review will be required. It is our understanding that the owners of the mill have decided to sell the facility by year-end, and that a failure to resolve the PSD decision in the coming weeks may force a permanent closure.
We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Source