SAUGUS — Wheelabrator Saugus will use one of its two boilers to process waste until its steam turbine is fixed.
A steam turbine at the plant was taken out of use for repairs two weeks ago. During the repair process, steam that would normally power the turbine to create energy that is sent back to grid is instead being released directly into the air.
A silencer was being used to mitigate the sound of the escaping steam, but neighbors compared the noise to a plane constantly flying overhead.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection said last Thursday that operations at the trash-to-ash facility would shut down and the plant would remain offline as the company awaits the arrival and installation of an enhanced silencer.
The facility stopped processing waste on Friday, and remained offline until an enhanced silencer was installed Sunday.
“The facility operated without incident Sunday with one boiler functioning,” said Michelle Nadeau, Wheelabrator’s director of communications and community engagement, in a statement. “In the process of restoring the facility back to full operating capacity by bringing the second boiler online, sound was discernible in the neighborhoods in close proximity to our facility. As soon as we became aware of the issue, we took immediate steps to eliminate it by taking the second boiler offline. The first boiler continues to operate with minimal sound impacts.”
Revere resident Loretta LaCentra said the enhanced silencer didn’t eliminate the noise, it just changed it.
“After three days of relief, once again, we are living with a noise nightmare,” said LaCentra. “Rather than a jet engine noise, it is more like a freight train.”
LaCentra, who lives at the corner of John Avenue and Mills Avenue in Revere, was among several neighbors who complained about the noise coming from Wheelabrator last week. The sound was creating a huge amount of stress in LaCentra’s life and interfering with her sleep.
The facility plans to operate with only one boiler until the steam turbine is returned to service, said Nadeau, who also apologized to anyone who has been inconvenienced by the sound.
