Michael Bopp, from the New York State Department of Conservation Public of Affairs Office, confirmed in November that fracking fluid, which is known to be radioactive, was processed at the plant. (Photo/ Josh Williams)
LIVINGSTON COUNTY — The Livingston County Board of Supervisors has fired back at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), AkzoNobel and Zurich Insurance in response to their proposed shut down of the desalination plant.
Previously the Board of Supervisors had been quiet in a public response, the official letter signed by Board Chairman, James Merrick, and addressed to Edward F. McTiernan, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel State of New York clearly states that Livingston County has zero interest in a potential plant shutdown.
“We have been directed by the Livingston County Board of Supervisors to express their position that Akzo be required to continue the brine pumping at the Cuylerville, New York plant. It appears clear that the pumping is meeting the goal of preventing the brine from entering the basal aquifer. The Board strongly believes that this goal is paramount. They are not interested in any settlement that would result in the discontinuance of the pumping operation.” the letter stated.
Local officials and community activists became enraged after The DEC, New York State Attorney General’s Office Representatives and Zurich Insurance requested private meetings to discuss a potential lump settlement in exchange for a plant shutdown.
The plant keeps the the water that is filling up into the collapsed salt mine at a level of 500 feet below the surface.
Adding to the mess DEC Officials confirmed for the first time in a public hearing that the plant processed hydrofracking fluid that was trucked in from Pennsylvania without notifying local officials.