Collections : [New York State Modern Political Archive]

The multiple issues that Rensselaer County Greens (RCG) raised with this company can be seen in the diversity of the records in this series. Environmental issues were the primary priority with information pertaining to water pollution, air pollution, traffic congestion, previous contaminants in the ground where the new site was to be built, and the noise and smell that would be given off by the plant documented in the records. Application and permit material make up a major component of the series while background statistics and material directly from the court proceedings account for another large section of the series. The environmental concerns and research files were created to be used by RCG, and as a result the majority of the information in the series documents RCGs claims against Besicorp. The pros and cons of what Besicorp could mean for Rensselaer and what it could do to influence the lifestyles of Rensselaers citizens is documented in the various newspaper stories on the topic. RCG handouts give a clear statement of why the organization was fighting against the newly planned plant.

This series contains information on the history of BASF back to its corporate roots in Germany. The history of the dye industry in Rensselaer traced back to 1868 is also available. This series also includes statistics of the BASF brownfield in Rensselaer, information on BASFs response to RCGs claims, the history of the BASFs landfill, and the land investigation that took place.

The Chip Fab series compares the positives and negatives of this semiconductor plant. Information on the employment and revenue impacts versus the pollution potential, health hazards, and industry instability is scattered throughout the series. Other semiconductor manufacturers in New York and their statistics are available here as well. Health hazards such as high employee cancer risks, and water pollution and usage cause microchip plants to be dangerous. A geometrical report and a water supply study are each located in folders in the series. Local news clippings show how the community rallied against the Chip Fab project and prevented it from being constructed despite the influence of politicians who wanted the company to be built in North Greenbush.

This series contains information about other projects undertaken by the Rensselaer County Greens (RCG). A proposed I-90 connector in the town of North Greenbush was opposed by the Rensselaer County Greens and community opposition to the proposed project was organized. (They believed it was unnecessary and was not worth the destruction of woodlands and the sprawl that would result.) Other information on urban sprawl shows how proposed tax legislation would cause surrounding farmland and country to be quickly inhabited.

The moving images in this series are visual documentation of the projects and issues of interest to the Rensselaer County Greens. The series includes commercial and non-commercial films documenting public hearings dealing with Besicorp and community meetings dealing with Troys waterfront. The VHS about BASF titled Locked Out! is based on the companys so-called attack on workers and the environment at their company located in Louisiana.