Sources: D.E.C. says options limited for opposing crude facility
Scott Waldman
ALBANY—State environmental officials have said in private meetings that it may be legally difficult for them to oppose construction of a heating facility at the Port of Albany that would allow tar sands crude to be transported through New York, according to people who attended the meetings.
Local environmental groups oppose the transport of tar sands crude, which is extremely difficult to clean up, and which they say poses a risk to the Hudson River, Lake Champlain and other areas where railroad tracks run along the shoreline. Tar sands crude is considered less volatile than the millions of gallons of Bakken crude that now travels through the state each week. The crude heating facility needs a state air permit before it can begin construction.
The purpose of the meetings between senior Department of Environmental Conservation staff and Albany-area officials was to build support for the state's decision on the facility, which is expected to be announced soon, but which has not yet been finalized, according to three meeting attendees.
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2015/05/8568200/sources-dec-says-options-limited-opposing-crude-facility