Holcim (US) Inc., Environmental Violations, New York 2022

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Holcim (US) Inc. has been caught red-handed in a massive environmental crime scheme at its cement manufacturing facility in Ravena, New York.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the State of New York today announced a settlement with Holcim (US) Inc. to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act and New York State water quality regulations.

The settlement requires Holcim to comply with the terms of its State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit (Permit), pay an $850,000 civil penalty, and make other physical and operational improvements to the Facility.

The alleged violations include 273 instances of exceeding numeric effluent limitations for pollutants such as biological oxygen demand, fecal coliform, total suspended solids, settleable solids, pH, and temperature differential between April 2015 and April 2021.

Additionally, the facility was found to have made unauthorized discharges of an unreported sulfuric acid spill and discharges of partially treated landfill leachate to tributaries of the Hudson River, such as Coeyman’s Creek and Hannacroix Creek.

“We are all custodians of our community’s precious environmental resources. This settlement will benefit the Hudson River, and help preserve this treasured resource for future generations,” said Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon.

The settlement resolves violations alleged in the complaint of the United States and the State of New York, which was filed yesterday.

Under the terms of the Consent Decree, Holcim will undertake additional measures to ensure that the Facility is fully compliant with the terms of its Permit by October of 2022.

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