New York State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens says the state will start testing for air pollutants in the neighborhoods around Albany's Hudson River port, which has become a hub for crude oil shippers.
The testing program announced Tuesday is in response to residents and local officials who have raised concerns about the health and environmental impacts of increased crude oil shipments through the port by train and ship.
The port has become a major hub for shipping trainloads of crude oil from North Dakota to coastal refineries.
Massachusetts-based Global Partners is seeking permission to modify its air permit so it can heat thick, heavy crude at its port terminal to make it easier to transfer from one vessel to another.
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