July 5, 2023
(press release)
–
62 Organizations Urge the Lockport, NY, Industrial Development Authority to Reject Public Subsidies for New Polyvinyl Chloride Plastics Facility Contacts: ● Alexis Goldsmith, AlexisGoldsmith@Bennington.edu, (260) 444-1341 Beyond Plastics joined 61 organizations in calling for the Lockport, New York, Industrial Development Agency Board to deny a plastic company’s request for public subsidies to build a new facility in Lockport. The facility would be SRI CV Plastics’ first production facility in the U.S. and would manufacture single-use disposable plastic packaging and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic pipes. The chemical vinyl chloride is used to make PVC plastic — the same chemical that was set on fire and released into the atmosphere after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in February 2023. The groups sent a letter to the members of the Lockport Industrial Development Agency. The letter can be found here. “Plastics facilities bring risks to the communities where they are sited,” said Judith Enck, former regional administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and current president of Beyond Plastics. “The train disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, showed us how the use of PVC plastic — which is made from toxic vinyl chloride — can rock the lives of entire communities with dangerous pollution. In addition to potential disasters, these plants also expose local residents and workers to toxic chemicals associated with cancer, birth defects, diabetes, and more. Lockport doesn’t deserve this — no one does. It’s critical that Lockport’s leaders reject this company’s attempt to settle here and put residents at risk.” In its application to the Industrial Development Agency, the company is requesting $600,000 in state and local public subsidies to create 20 new full-time jobs over the next two years and five part-time jobs. SRI CV Plastics admitted in this application that it wanted to locate in Lockport because of cheap labor costs and fewer regulations. Working with vinyl chloride has damaged workers at other facilities around the country. It is not known how the polyvinyl chloride will be transported to Lockport. PVC plastic is made from the toxic chemical vinyl chloride, a Group 1 carcinogen associated with liver cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, and brain and lung cancers, diabetes, neurological damage, and reproductive and birth defects. PVC is notorious for fires and other problems. Since 2000, four of the top U.S. PVC manufacturers have accumulated 245 safety and environmental violations, incurring more than $50 million in fines. PVC, like other plastics, is made from fossil fuels and chemicals, and generates climate-warming emissions and hazardous pollution at every stage. Plastic production contributes to climate change, and building a plastics manufacturing facility in New York state conflicts with the state’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Lockport is slowly building its tourist economy. This is the last thing Lockport needs if it wants to attract tourists and illustrate any kind of commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Alexis Goldsmith, organizing director with Beyond Plastics. New Yorkers want change. A 2022 poll found that 88% of New York voters are concerned about single-use plastic products and support local and state policies that reduce them. A 2023 poll of Americans showed that 73% don’t want new plastic production facilities.
The Company Is Seeking $600K to Create 20 Jobs
For Immediate Release: June 29, 2023
● Judith Enck, JudithEnck@Bennington.edu, (518) 605-1770
* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.
