A former New York State Department of Environmental Conservation engineer who pushed for a Niagara Falls factory to be held accountable for dangerous emissions was recognized Monday by local activists.
Dylan Keenan, who has been suspended without pay for almost two years, reported the Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for releasing more than the safe limit of a known bladder carcinogen, according to a civil rights suit filed in federal court.
"I am here because my findings were thorough and truthful, and I stood behind them," Keenan said at a press conference outside the factory. "I would like to thank the community groups for supporting me in my concerns for protecting the community from exposure to a known human bladder carcinogen."
Keenan was recognized with the 'Environmental Justice Hero Award' from several organizations.
Last year, Goodyear agreed to an order from New York regulators to install functional pollution control devices to remedy the emissions by October 2026 and pay a $5,000 fine. The consent order came after months of reporting from BTPM and our partner Public Health Watch on DEC documentation showing the surrounding community was at risk while the factory operates with a faulty pollution control system.
However, as activists recognize Keenan, they worry the factory and the state are not going to hold to their promises. They are also concerned how the DEC is run, in light of Keenan being suspended after reporting...
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