West Endicott Residents Want Action on National Pipe Emissions

People who live near the National Pipe and Plastics factory in the town of Union remain unhappy with the way the plant is operating.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation in August notified the company that it had violated several regulations pertaining to emissions and persistent odors.

Town of Union Supervisor Robert Mack said West Endicott residents are continuing to complain about conditions caused by the facility which produces PVC pipes.

Finished PVC pipe products stored near the National Pipe and Plastics factory in West Endicott. (File Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Mack told WNBF News that people in the neighborhood have advised him that "in some ways on some days it was worse than ever."

He discussed that assessment recently with a DEC representative who told him that the problems may be occurring because National Pipe was "testing different things to try and remediate some of the issues."

Material silos and railroad cars outside the National Pipe and Plastics plant in West Endicott. (File Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Mack said some residents are wondering whether the company is "just ramping up production in case they do have to shut down to do some major reconstruction of their filtering systems."

He said he hopes that's not the case but it is a concern that's being discussed in the neighborhood.

The DEC has warned National Pipe and Plastics that it faces big fines if the problems aren't resolved soon.

The company last month issued a statement indicating it was working closely with state regulators to address the issues cited in the violation notice.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.