Press Releases: 10/30/09 Legislators Iannello, Reynolds Call for a County Tax Abatement Law for Home Improvements 10/08/09 Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello News Release 09/30/09 Iannello Calls on County Executive to Include Tax Cut in Budget 08/26/09 IANNELLO APPOINTED CO-CHAIR OF THE NIAGARA ERIE REGIONAL COALITION BY LEGISLATURE CHAIR MARINELLI 08/07/09 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO DEFENDS PREVAILING WAGE VOTE

Michele M. Iannello - District 10 January 7, 2009 (Buffalo, NY) – The Erie County Legislature today passed a resolution introduced by Legislator Michele M. Iannello (D-Kenmore) which calls on manufacturers and chemical plants in and near Tonawanda to significantly reduce their air emissions of benzene, a known human carcinogen. This resolution encourages Tonawanda Coke, which is the number one industrial contributor of benzene in Tonawanda, along with other area manufacturers to develop and implement toxic-use-reduction plans. Additionally, they are urged to install state-of-the-art air pollution control equipment to significantly reduce the use and release of benzene and other hazardous chemicals into the community. Realizing the potential costs related to these steps Iannello called on the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Environmental Protection Agency to seek technical, economic and/or tax credit assistance to offset or minimize the cost factor to accomplish emission reduction. Recently, the DEC sponsored an air-monitoring program which determined ambient air levels of benzene in Tonawanda are elevated. One monitor indicated the average annual benzene level exceeded the New York State guideline by a factor of nearly one hundred. Legislator Iannello stated, "If benzene levels in Tonawanda are at a level that may be dangerous to the health and welfare of our residents, it is our responsibility to call on local manufacturers to take steps to protect our citizens." Iannello continued by stating, "I have called on other local governments to take similar steps through formal resolutions urging local manufacturers to reduce these toxic emissions. The City of Tonawanda Council passed a similar resolution at Tuesday's Council meeting. The Town of Tonawanda may take similar steps to urge local manufactures to reduce these toxic emissions." Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Anthony Caruana stated, "I am optimistic the Town Board and I will be able to pass a resolution supporting Michele's efforts here in the Town at our next meeting on January 26th." Jackie James-Creedon, Director of the Clean Air Coalition of WNY states, "Coke oven emissions are known to be human carcinogens which are linked to skin, bladder, and respiratory tract cancer." James continued, "We recently asked JD Crane, the owner of Tonawanda Coke, to sit down with our group to discuss our concerns regarding their air emissions. Three days ago, I received letter from their attorney respectfully declining a meeting with our group. I appreciate Legislator Iannello's efforts which have brought attention to this matter. We are hopeful this resolution will help commence positive dialogue between the community and Tonawanda Coke." Back to District 10 Homepage