New York bans PFAS foam incineration at Cohoes Norlite plant

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed a bill on Nov. 23 banning incineration of PFAS-laden firefighting foam, reports the Times Union.

While the bill banning incineration of Aqueous Film Forming Foam applies statewide, Cohoes-based Norlite operated the only such facility in New York that burned the substance.

Cuomo’s signing culminates a summer-long campaign for the measure, which was passed by lawmakers in June, months after it was learned that the facility had incinerated more than two million pounds of AFFF over two years through contracts with the Pentagon. They also shipped and incinerated AFFF from firehouses across the East Coast as the foam is being phased out of use due to concerns over its possible toxicity.

"While this measure will ban incineration of firefighting foam containing these compounds in cities like Cohoes, our work is not over,” Cuomo said in announcing the bill signing. “We remain fully committed to this effort and will continue to advance comprehensive, statewide measures which protect all New Yorkers and our environment from emerging contaminants."

“I appreciate the governor's attention to this legislation and the support of the community and advocates who were integral to ensuring the passage into law," added Assemblyman John McDonald who sponsored the ban along with Sen. Neil Breslin.

According to the Times Union, the bill to ban incineration was limited to cities between 16,000 and 17,000 population, which includes Cohoes. Because it’s the only place in the state where incineration takes place, it effectively creates a statewide ban.

Following revelations that the incineration, which was legal, had been taking place, the city of Cohoes in the spring imposed a year-long moratorium.

But environmentalists pushed for a permanent ban, leading to the bill’s passage, followed by several Zoom meetings and demonstrations in front of the governor’s mansion in support of the measure.