MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH
Joint w/COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
Monday, March 11, 2002
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: E&H: M. Kaplowitz (Chair); V. Pinto; U. LaMotte; W. Ryan; J. Maisano; L. Bronz.
LEGISLATION: A. Stewart-Cousins (Chair); T. Abinanti.
BOL & STAFF: S. Bass; C. Ryer, Sec’y.
ALSO PRESENT: Hope Corbin (MK-Intern); Edward Malone, Charles Graap (Brookfield Auto Wreckers); Marion Rose (CWCWC); Joe Marcogliese(WC/DOH); Elaine Price (Consumer Protect.); Christine Hindle Verber (WHAC); Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz (WC/Law); Richard Duschanecy (WC/Const.) Robina Ramey (LWVNC); Edna Sussman (LWVNC); Jory Celaj (CE’s Intern).
DISCUSSION:
Chair Kaplowitz called the meeting to order at 3:20 p.m. The Committee on Legislation resumed their meeting at this time, opened by Chair Stewart-Cousins.
Joe Marcogliese began the discussion on the removal of mercury switches from vehicles that are about to be destroyed (crushed). He added that DEC had a proposal supporting a pilot program related to the removal of these switches from “end of life cars”, which can be found at the hood and trunk lights. The removal was initiated in the Buffalo (NY) area, with the aid of a grant from EPA, and was fairly successful – over 5,000 switches were removed from autos before they were crushed. Mr. Marcogliese further explained that there are four facilities in the County where vehicles are crushed and the possibility that the glass capsule containing mercury could break. Each switch/capsule contains about 1 gram of mercury and are easily removed from the vehicle. The County DOH would provide containers to the facility and arrange for the pick-up of removed mercury switches.
MINUTES
The four auto crushing facilities are: Blood Brothers Auto Wreckers (Mamaroneck); Brookfield Auto Wreckers (Elmsford); Saw Mill Auto Wreckers (Yonkers); and Kaufman Auto Wreckers (Cortlandt). It was stated that someone comes to the Kaufman site to remove and dispose of the mercury switches.
Elaine Price noted that 95-99% of mercury that comes from automobiles is contained in the switches, and there are various facilities willing to provide cost-effective measures to assist with the proper disposal of the removed switches. Ms. Price assured that the DOH would be the enforcement arm responsible for the safe containment and disposal of the removed switches. Charles Graap from Brookfield explained that it would be hard to determine which vehicles contain mercury switches since auto manufacturers will not give a list of the containing vehicles. The discussion continued with an emphasis on enforcing regulations to remove and rid the vehicles of mercury before being crushed or shredded, and supporting the proposed legislation.
Legislator Swanson expressed that she would not support the legislation unless the penalty fee would be reconsidered. Ms. Price suggested auto wreckers using similar sign posting enforcements as required with Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) enforcement laws. Chair Stewart-Cousins suggested educating and raising awareness of the importance of mercury removal before finalizing the legislation. Legislator Abinanti suggested that another meeting should be held with all the auto wrecking companies represented before voting on the legislation. Chair Kaplowitz suggested changing the civil penalty portion (Sec. 863.803) to incorporate the HHW regulations. This issue will be discussed further in a future meeting. The Committee on Legislation adjourned on the motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Ryan at 3:55 p.m.
MINUTES
The E&H Committee continued with their meeting. Steve Bass presented the legislation regarding the ban on mercury contained products, noting that the date of implementation has been extended to May 31, 2002. Chair Bronz explained that the implementation date was extended to accommodate friendly amendments and sign the legislation out of Committee for all purposes. Chair Kaplowitz entertained a motion to accept the amendment, which was moved by Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Pinto and carried 5-0, with all in favor.
Marion Rose gave a brief update on the Croton Watershed filtration, emphasizing that once a chemical filtration plant is in place, it’s an opening for future development in the area, and should that happen, State laws become less stringent where waste water treatment is concerned. Ms. Rose added that the water quality has improved over the past few years and has been reported at acceptable levels. Chair Kaplowitz requested that Ms. Rose prepare draft legislation for the Committee to review with regard to protecting and improving the watershed, as opposed to building a filtration plant.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m.