REVERE — Members of the Alliance for Health and the Environment, a coalition of environmental organizations and public officials, met to voice strong opposition against a request to expand Wheelabrator Saugus’ ash landfill Thursday.
“We stand together as an alliance to call upon Gov. (Charlie) Baker and DEP Commissioner (Martin) Suuberg to deny Wheelabrator’s request to expand this coastal landfill by bringing in over 500,000 additional tons of ash contaminated with mercury dioxins, lead and other pollutants,” said State Rep. RoseLee Vincent in a North Shore Road parking lot with the facility in the background.
“This proposal calls for ripping open the already capped portions of the landfill that are closest to the Pines River and directly across the river from the homes and businesses of people I represent. If this part of the landfill becomes reactivated for the first time in decades, the river and the neighborhoods across from it would be susceptible to contamination in the event of an intense storm. Major flooding events in Revere and Saugus last month highlighted the urgency of permanently capping this site to protect people and the environment from the risks of an active unlined coastal landfill.”
Speakers at the event sent the clear message that the State Department of Environment Protection should not grant a permit to allow the facility to continue operating for five to 10 years.
But Wheelabrator maintains the continued use of the landfill will not bring negative consequences.
“We believe the Department of Environmental Protection’s decision granting a provisional permit for the continued use of the ash monofill at Wheelabrator Saugus represents the best solution for the town, the state and the region,” James Connolly, vice president of environmental health and safety at Wheelabrator Saugus, said in a statement. “It will ensure continued economic benefits and jobs, community benefits including support for public education, and environmental benefits in providing clean, renewable energy, safe disposal of non-recyclable solid waste and stewardship of the adjacent Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Permit approval would not change the current nature, daily capacity, materials deposited, or operations at the monofill, or increase the height, footprint, or lateral measurement of the landfill, Connolly said. “We remain open to a dialogue with the town about a long-term plan for Wheelabrator Saugus that will maintain and enhance our economic and environmental value to the community.”
On Nov. 1, MassDEP issued a provisional decision that would allow the company to dispose of an estimated 500,000 tons of ash. A public comment period ended on Jan. 12 and the agency is expected to make a decision on the proposal by the end of the month.
