In recent years, we have begun to understand the toxic, potentially
deadly brew contained in the exhaust. Federal and state agencies now label diesel exhaust as a known or likely carcinogen.
Despite such proclamations, the Village of Freeport had stubbornly
refused to close Plant No. 2, placing economic concerns above public health; that is, until last Thursday, when it was announced that Plant No. 2 would be closed for good.
The plant has been shut down permanently thanks to an intensive, yearlong campaign by the Old Lindenmere Civic Association and the unwavering support of New York State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. (R-Merrick) and LIPA Chairman Richard Kessel. In its place, PPL Global will construct two state-of-the-art, gas-fired generators that will supply electricity to Freeport and the Long Island Power Authority. The new generators rate over 95 percent cleaner than Plant No. 2.
Gov. George Pataki, who applied ongoing pressure to ensure the plant's closure, came from Albany to shut it down officially.
We must thank Sen. Fuschillo and Gov. Pataki; LIPA Chairman Kessel of Merrick; Joseph Kralovich, president of the Old Lindenmere Civic Association; Ed Grilli of Merrick, who is Kessel's chief of staff; Nassau County Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick); and even Freeport Mayor William Glacken, whom the Herald called on to resign over Plant No. 2. In the end, Glacken, who said more than once that he would not shut the plant down, did the right thing and closed it.
We must thank Merrick's civic associations, particularly the Old Lindenmere Civic Association, Central Merrick Homeowners Association and Merrick Park Home Owner's Association. Your teamwork and tenacity provided the lifeblood needed to carry out the Plant No. 2 fight.
We must thank Dr. Ronald Smith, Merrick Elementary School District
superintendent, and Louis Kruh, president of the district's board of
education. You bravely broke with district policy that states school
officials should not get involved in political issues. You wisely recognized that the Plant No. 2 battle was not about politics, but the health of our children and all local residents. Your district's information campaign helped build support for Clean It Up or Close It Down.
We must thank the more than 1,000 residents who wrote letters to elected officials, calling on them to close the plant. You proved that organized civic action nets results.
And thank you to the many people in Old Lindenmere who lost relatives to cancer and shared their stories with the Herald. Your courage and candor attracted the attention of elected officials, including Gov. Pataki.
For decades to come, the efforts of all the above people to close Plant No. 2 will pay dividends in a cleaner world and improved health for
residents.
Indeed, Thursday, April 4 will be remembered as a great day for Nassau County's South Shore and a triumph for its citizens. To all local residents, we say breathe easy this summer. Freeport's diesel dinosaur is now only a memory of a sorrowful era for the environment.
