The Rensselaer County (New York) Legislature approved hiring two local engineering companies to aid in reviewing the proposed Besicorp paper recycling mill project.
LaBerge Engineering & Consulting and Fraser & Associates, will work with the county Environmental Management Council to review the proposed power plant, according to the Legislator Michael Stammel.
The proposed 505 Megawatt gas/oil-fired power plant would be located on the site of the former BASF plant. Besicorp would supply processed steam to a newsprint recycling facility designed to process 430,000 ton of recovered fiber a year, according to Stammel.
LaBerge will review potential impact to emergency services and traffic while Fraser will review the impacts to areas along the Hudson River, including the Papscanee Preserve, which is managed by the county, according to Stammel.
The county was given $40,000 by the state toward the cost of the review, which will cover the firms' services. The city of Rensselaer and the Fort Craillo Neighborhood Association will also receive funds.
The Legislature resolution follows a request by EMC to be granted intervenor status in reviewing the Besicorp project, which was approved by the Legislature in February and approved later by the state. The intervenor designation is granted by the state Public Service Commission.
Legislators' aim to insure the BASF site is properly remediated before any construction begins. The Daily Record