[caption id="" align="alignright" width="320"] TCI of New York, the transformer recycling company, smolders after it was destroyed by fire, Aug. 2, 2012. (Lance Wheeler photo)[/caption]

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star as the one-year anniversary of the Aug. 1 TCI chemical fire in Ghent approaches, the Columbia County Environmental Management Council has issued a series of recommendations for towns to provide greater oversight over companies that handle toxic substances. The proposal under discussion would require anyone applying to establish a business that would produce or handle toxic substances to pay for a licensed chemical engineer to conduct unannounced inspections of the facility. In addition, it was also recommended a rigorous State Environmental Quality Review Act procedure be required, and the plans reviewed by an independent environmental consulting firm. The recommendations will be released to the full county Board of Supervisors for further discussion. Read the full story in the Register Star.