The organizations do not object to RED-Rochester withdrawing water from the lake, or to the amount of water the company wants. But they do have some big picture concerns about whether the permit application and DEC review process do enough to stress efficient water use.
ENVIRONMENT | BY JEREMY MOULE
Eastman park permit could set precedent Water is crucial to life, and to the rebirth of Eastman Business Park. The park has a self-contained, specialized utilities system that depends on large quantities of water from Lake Ontario. RED-Rochester, which owns the park’s utility system, has applied for a state permit to withdraw up to 54 million gallons of lake water per day to keep those utilities running. Previously, the park’s utility system didn’t need a water withdrawal permit. But in 2011, a law passed that broadly regulates and restricts water withdrawals throughout New York. The purpose is to fulfill New York’s commitment under a multi-state Great Lakes water conservation and protection pact. RED-Rochester’s application will be a test case of sorts. The company is one of the first industrial users to apply for a water withdrawal permit, and the application will set a precedent for future reviews, says Larry Levine, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council of New York. Last Friday, a group of 18 state and local environmental and advocacy groups submitted a letter to the State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding REDRochester’s application. NRDC took the lead on drafting the comments, though other signers include the state Sierra Club chapter and the Rochester Raging Grannies.
The organizations do not object to REDRochester withdrawing water from the lake, or to the amount of water the company wants. They're concerned about whether the permit application and DEC review process Eastman Business Park’s power plant relies on water from Lake Ontario do enough to stress for some of its systems. FILE PHOTO efficient water use. DEC’s press office did not respond to “They’re not really questions in time for this issue. scrutinizing the applications,” Levine says. Local and state leaders say Eastman The organizations say they’re worried that the DEC is treating the permits as a formality. Business Park is critical to the region’s economic growth. And they say that the In the letter, they say RED-Rochester has laid park’s utilities system makes it attractive to out “a range of laudable water conservation industries. Lake Ontario water is used in measures.” The DEC should, they say, make the park’s power plant; for high-pressure those efforts mandatory in the permit. Those measures include identifying and steam; and in the chilled, purified, and addressing leaks, reducing fire protection industrial water systems. system leaks, and working to help customers The park’s economic importance isn’t use water more efficiently, says REDlost on environmental groups, Levine Rochester spokesperson Dave Lundy. says, and they understand that the lake Applicants should also have to analyze water is an important resource. But a alternative measures for conservation, the vigorous withdrawal permit program letter says. In RED-Rochester’s case, it says, could help make sure the resource isn’t the company could evaluate the feasibility strained, he says, which in turn would of installing a more water-efficient cooling benefit the park by ensuring a reliable system in its power plant. water supply.
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EDUCATION | BY TIM LOUIS MACALUSO
East’s end? When a school is failing as badly as East High, the surrounding community seems to go through many of the same emotional transitions as a person dealing with a life-threatening illness. Many of those raw emotions were evident at a meeting at East last week, where about 100 students, parents, staff, and residents reacted to the State Education Department’s command to fix the school. Some students and parents said they’re shocked by the news, and many students vigorously defended their teachers. They said their success in school is a direct result of their teachers’ hard work and caring. East’s librarian said she’s angry because she doesn’t have the resources to help the school’s nearly 1,800 students. “If we’re trying to support reading and writing, why are we taking away [positions]?” she said. “We’re in a crisis mode.” And many of the parents and students said they’re angry at the parents who don’t engage with East. “There’s only so much staff can do without parental support,” said Frances Drumgoole, a home school assistant. The SED has given district officials until the end of April to come up with a plan for East. The options are: turn it over to SUNY, close the school and open another one, convert East to a charter, or partner with some other entity to run the school.
Meet the Artist Concert Series! LOU DONALDSON QUARTET Thurs. April 3 • 7:30pm
Tickets: $30 Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside
SPRING JAZZ CRUISES! May 19, June 7, August 25 6:30-8:30pm • Join us aboard
120 Stonewood Ave. (just off Lake Ave) | 585.663.0430 1230 Lehigh Station Rd. Henrietta | 585.334.5500
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the Colonial Belle in Fairport. Live Jazz!
For more info and tickets: online at www.jazz901.org and by calling 585-966-2660 rochestercitynewspaper.com
CITY 5