Hudson Mohawk
by Susan Lawrence

Group works to reduce locomotive emissions, curb risk of tanker catastrophe

The Hudson Mohawk Group continues to use some special funds for air quality improvements in the City of Rensselaer and nearby areas.

We are working with the NYSDEC, the EPA, and AMTRAK, along with activists in the city, to reduce particulate matter and other toxic emissions from diesel locomotives that idle for many hours near the city’s residential areas. Funding was provided by a power plant developer through an agreement with our Group under the auspices of the NYS Public Service Commission.

With the aid of Roger Downs, the Chapter’s conservation program manager, our Group is also focusing on the very serious problem of rail tanker cars loaded with crude oil from the Bakken shale oil fields of North Dakota; these pass through the area en route to the Port of Albany.  This is obviously a concern for other communities in New York and in other states because the shells of the rail cars are too thin, risking catastrophic accidents — such as happened with the rail derailment in Lac-Megantic near Quebec.  The Albany City Council recently passed a resolution to identify what needs to be done, and how to accomplish it.