Representative Willis States Concerns About Proposed Cement Plant

State Representative Roberta Willis (D-64th District) has written to New York Governor George Pataki for his help and assistance regarding the proposed St. Lawrence Cement Plant in Hudson, NY. Representative Willis reiterated her concern that the proposed mega-sized plant threatens the air quality of the Northwest corner of Connecticut and that prevailing northwesterly wind patterns could blow the plant’s 30-story smokestack emissions to the Northwest corner within an hour.

"Interestingly, we happen to share many of the same constituents since as many as 50% of our property owners happen to be residents of the State of New York," Representative Willis wrote. "They come to enjoy the pristine beauty of Litchfield County, and we all want it to remain that way. Sadly, we are concerned that proposed mega-sized plant threatens the quality of our air."

Representative Willis pointed out that on December 7, 2001, Administrative Law Judge Helene Goldberger selected nine issues to be adjudicated in the review of the plant’s application. She added that a primary concern of those nine issues is air pollution, warning that "the fine particulate matter produced and released by the proposed plant could have serious detrimental effects on our health. Studies have indicated that fine particulate matter can affect respiratory diseases like asthma and emphysema, and can even result in lung cancer."

Representative Willis hoped Governor Pataki would respond in a positive way to her July 26 letter, and she also sent a copy of the letter to Governor Rowland.