New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced enforcement against Curia New York, Inc., for operating unpermitted air emission sources and exceeding permitted batch limits at its Rensselaer-based facility. The DEC Order on Consent included $425,000 in penalties and compensation to the community for violations dating from 2001 to 2023. 

DEC Interim Commissioner Mahar said, “DEC’s enforcement against Curia is a reminder to companies across New York State that it is critical to comply with air permit requirements to ensure protection of the public and the environment. The Environmental Scholarship Fund being created will provide financial assistance to Rensselaer youth, empowering them to further their education and advance positive change in their communities.”

Curia paid a $175,000 civil penalty required under the order for violations related to the operation of unpermitted air emission sources and exceeding limits. After an investigation, DEC found that Curia, a pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing organization, operated nearly 86 unpermitted processes at its facility from July 2001 to May 2023 and exceeded limits for certain operational processes at the facility on 27 occasions from June 2018 through March 2023. The order requires the facility to implement an approved emissions compliance plan, submit monthly emission certifications, increase emissions testing, and apply for a permit modification that includes all applicable processes, among other requirements. 

In addition to the fine, the Order also requires the company to fund an Environmental Benefit Project (EBP) establishing a $250,000 Environmental Scholarship Fund for Rensselaer City High School (RCHS) graduates. The scholarship fund is intended for graduating RCHS seniors who are pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. Two graduating seniors will be selected annually to receive a one-time $5,000 scholarship. One of the scholarships will be awarded to a student attending Hudson Valley Community College, while the other scholarship will go to a student attending any two- or four-year accredited institution of higher learning.

Rensselaer City School District Superintendent Joseph Kardash said, “DEC’s focus on education speaks volumes about planning for the future. Students from Rensselaer can certainly use this resource to become future agents of change for our community.”

Following identification of the violations, DEC evaluated the emissions related to the unpermitted processes and exceedances and determined historical emissions were below annual and short-term guideline concentrations for the time period related to the violations.

Curia applied to modify its existing Air State Facility permit in May 2023. DEC denied the application in September 2023 based on the unaddressed violations of its Air State Facility permit. The company worked cooperatively with DEC to address and resolve the violations and resubmitted an application that is currently under review by DEC.