Public Meeting on Proposed Albany Oil Terminal Expansion

When:

February 12, 2014: 5:30PM to 9:00PM

Where:

Giffen Memorial Elementary School, 274 South Pearl Street, Albany map

Members of the public concerned about the risks from crude oil transportation in the Hudson and Mohawk valleys should attend a Department of Environmental Conservation public information session on Global Companies LLC’s proposed expansion of its oil terminal in the Port of Albany.

Global Companies LLC, one of the largest petroleum distributors in the Northeast, wants to expand its oil terminal in the Port of Albany, adding boilers that would allow it to heat heavy crude oil so it can be transferred in cold weather from rail car to river barge or tanker, for transport on the Hudson River.

Unlike other types of petroleum products transported on the river today, not all heavy crude oil floats if spilled. It can sink, making containment and cleanups difficult, if not impossible.

Serious concerns about the flammability of certain crude oils have also been vividly illustrated by a series of spectacular train derailments and fires.

Yet, the company hasn’t been ordered to fully study the environmental impacts of opening the river to heavy crude oil transport.

Take action today to tell the Department of Environmental Conservation to order a comprehensive study of this project’s environmental and community impacts. The deadline for comments is April 2.