Erin Brockovich at Ravena.

Notes and photos from her recent forum expressing concerns about LaFarge.
September 15, 2009.

On evening of Friday, September 11, 2009, Erin Brockovich came to the Ravena Coeymans Selkirk (R.C.S.) High School in Ravena to talk about community struggles against pollution from large industrial facilities. Her visit was inspired by an invitation by Community Advocates for Safe Emissions (C.A.S.E.), a local community concerned about the modernization of the LaFarge / Blue Circle Cement Plant in Ravena.

C.A.S.E. is concerned about emissions from the 1958-era cement plant that exists largely without pollution controls today, and is scheduled for modernization. Cement plants are currently exempt from many pollution standards, most particularly mercury emissions, a potent nuerotoxin that can make fish consumption potentially dangerous, particularly at higher levels. Elemental mercury, exceeding 400 lbs a year, which is significant compared to other plants, also is a concern to neighbors.

David Carpenter

The scheduled speakers ran for a total of 3 hours. The night was introduced by Robin Greenwald of Weitz-Luxenberg. Dr. Mark Hyman, of Harvard spoke briefly about his research that he is doing along with David Carpenter, the controversial scientist studying endocrine disruptor at SUNY Albany about potential pollutes from the cement plant. While neither gave specifics on their research, they did discuss the real possibilities and dangerous of emissions at the levels of conventional pollutants from the plant.

Erin Brochovich Making a Point

The real highlight of the night was Erin Brochovich. She also spoke in generalities, speaking about how important it is to to have a discussion of pollution and it's impact on our communities. She discussed how it's essential that people ask hard questions, and not be afraid of these companies that sometimes bully people around. She emphasized that despite threats by corporations to pick up and leave, that in her experience, that jobs where never lost by asking questions or keeping companies accountable.

Erin Brochovich Reflects

She noted that many people have suffered the impacts of pollution, and that it's important for people to get out and discuss. To not be afraid, but to realize that real pollution exists, and that there is solution. Lawsuits are always the last resort, but sometimes just the threat of community action is enough to get companies to reform their actions, and include better pollution controls.

Patrick Fissell, Retired Cement Plant Worker Asks Questions

Erin Brochovich didn't get off easy. Many in the room where not happy about all the money and gloss floating around the room with Weitz and Luxenberg, her employeer basically paying for her trip. She noted that she did not take any fees directly for this event, although she did disclose that she was a paid consultant. She emphasized that she was here not to work against the 250 families employed by the plant, but instead to work to build a better community.

Susan Falzcon of Friends of Hudson

Susan Falzcon who lead the efforts of Friends of Hudson in their battles against the new and expanded Saint Lawerence Cement plant just down the river, talked about some of her insitutional knowledge about cement plants, and why it was so important to get LaFarge to modernize the cement plant in the right way. She stated this was their one chance to get things right. The current plant will have been online for over 50 years when it is modernized, and the modernized plant probably will not get any new pollution controls beyond what is insisted on by the DEC and other regulatory agency during the upgrade, which is scheduled some time between 2012-2018.

Elyse Kunz and Elyse Griffin of CASE

The night was closed out by Elyse Kunz and Elyse Griffin of C.A.S.E., briefly reviewing the status of things, and why it's so important for the Ravena community to ask the hard questions. They say they are determined to keep LaFarge's feet to the fire and to do the right thing, as mandated by science and the need to keep the surrounding community safe, as they go into the second stage of the plant's life.

At the end of the night, I have to say I learned not much new about this important issue facing the Ravena community. There is a lot of fear, and big numbers being thrown around, and emphasis on the community getting involved and asking questions. The good news is that they are bringing in the best and brightest to ask the hard questions, and to ultimately keep LaFarge accountable. Everybody agrees that LaFarge is essential to Ravena's well being, but that they need to do better.

Cement Plant from NY 144

Many peoeple where a bit alarmed that Weitz and Luxenberg, and their consultant in the form of Erin Brockovich came to Ravena. That said, Weitz and Luxenberg and Erin Brockovich regularly tour the country, in search of potential cases of environmental abuse and human sickness. They keep their ears open, and try to mobilize communities, in search of potential litigation that could both make them a profit, and help heal badly damaged communities.

Ravena-Coeymans School's counsel was afraid of being sued, and promptly told Weitz and Luxenberg they couldn't even talk about their law firm, as a form of commercial solicitation on school property. The counsel was so freaked about it, that they wouldn't even allow them to distribute contact information or discuss any possibility of litigation from any firm, or non-legal strategies.

Ultimately, I doubt LaFarge is going to get sued by Weitz and Luxenberg. I also doubt LaFarge will get shut down or that the jobs will disappear. Yet, it doesn't hurt to ask questions, when such a dirty plant gets modernized. The decisions made in the next few years, will define the quality of air around the plant, and how much mercury will be put in fisheries and landscape around the plant. While cement making will probably forever be a dirty process, it is important to debate the safety level that the modernized plant should be living up to.

Here is some stories that made it into the media: