Dec. 14
The state of Massachusetts´ moratorium on waste incinerators has been upheld, with Gov. Deval Patrick declining to lift the state ban that has been in place since 1990.
Last week the governor announced he would maintain the existing moratorium on new facilities for incineration of municipal solid waste.
"We are serious about managing the waste we generate in a way that saves money for cities and towns, curbs pollution and protects the environment for our children and grandchildren," said Patrick Dec. 11. "There are better ways than traditional incineration."
At the same time, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles a new expansion of state recycling programs, with emphasis to be placed on recycling of water bottles and consumer electronics.
"Focusing on incineration and landfills is the wrong end of the waste equation," said Bowles. "While Massachusetts is ahead of the national average in recycling and some communities like Nantucket are leading the way, there is a lot more we can do to increase recycling and reduce disposal of useful materials."
The governor said he would be introducing a bill to the state legislature to mandate producer responsibility legislation for discarded electronics, and an expansion of the state bottle bill to cover plastic water and sports drink bottles.
Also Dec. 11, Bowles said he directed the state Department of Environmental Protection to suspend all review of permit applications for facilities proposing to use construction and demolition materials as fuel for energy generation, including the proposed Palmer Renewable Energy facility, until a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts of using such materials is completed.
Bowles said the government will review potential for release of greenhouse gasses and air pollutants related to such facilities, along with any public health impacts related to incineration of C&D materials.
Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Amanda Smith-Teutsch at 330-865-6166 or asmith-teutsch@crain.com
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