Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE–Friday, October 11 , 2019 “Call it anything except the truth” Rep. Vincent says the DEP misled her about its preliminary emissions control plan for Wheelabrator; public hearing set for Tuesday in Saugus SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 781-289-6466 Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma Eminating from The Clubhouse in Chelsea... A Tradition Continues Just as we prepare a great steak, we strive to provide a dining experience just the way you like it. Function Room up to 75 Guests 817 Broadway (Route 1 South), Saugus (781) 558-2271 By Mark E. Vogler S tate Rep. RoseLee Vincent says the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) deceived her on what its draft approval of the Emission Control Plan (ECP) for Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc.’s trashto-energy plant in Saugus will require. Upon further review of a document she complimented the agency for producing last month; Vincent said this week that it has a hidden provision that will actually provide the public with less protection than she previously thought. Wheelabrator will be able to buy emissions reducRestaurant Hours Monday – Wednesday 11:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M. Thursday – Saturday 11:00 A.M. – 10:30 P.M. Sunday 12:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. Lounge open until 1 a.m. Our Menu features Classics, Premium Barbecue, Seafood, Lunch Specials, House Specials, Healthy Options, and Beverages for all occasions. tions credits from other facilities in order to comply with new regulations. Vincent said she has changed her mind about the DEP document and plans to oppose it rather than support it when she testifies at a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 15) in the auditorium of Saugus High School. The DEP is hosting the hearing to give the public a chance to comment before the plan is adopted. “When I first read the DEP draft, I actually believed that DEP meant what they said — ‘that Wheelabrator Saugus, would be required to meet the new standards of 150 Particles per million of Nitrogen Oxides’ — which are poisonous, highly reactive gases!,” Vincent told The Advocate. “But the truth is that the emissions coming out of the incinerator stack in Saugus will not meet the 150 ppm at all. It was all smoke and mirrors, fuzzy math — call it anything except the truth. The truth is that the DEP is going to allow the Saugus incinerator to buy emissions reduction credits (ERC’s) from other facilities that actually emit lower levels of Nitrogen oxides and give those credits to Saugus,” she said in an interview Wednesday night. “So on paper they appear to be in compliance, but in reality the Saugus incinerator is emitting much higher levels of NOx than any other incinerator in the state and much higher than the new standard. This is another disturbing example of how DEP turns a blind eye, and a deaf ear to the people I FROM SUPPORTER TO CRITIC: State Rep. RoseLee Vincent has withdrawn her support of the state’s preliminary Emission Control Plan for Wheelabrator Saugus, which will be the subject of a public hearing at Saugus High School at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. (Saugus Advocate file photo) represent when it comes to issues with this facility,” she said. “Wheelabrator, Saugus should not be allowed to blanket our community with higher levels of Nitrogen oxides than the rest of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I ask the DEP hold Wheelabrator accountable and to ensure that they are not emitting higher levels of toxins than any other incinerator in Massachusetts.” She had initial misgivings with DEP Plan, then supported it Vincent, whose 16th Suffolk District includes two Saugus precincts — including 10, where the incinerator on Route 107 is located, initially expressed misgivings when DEP published the notice for next week’s public hearing. “At first glance, it seems as though the DEP is signaling their approval to Wheelabrator to skirt these new emissions standards by using alternative methods,” she said in an earlier interview. But, a week later, after consulting with DEP, she said she felt more comfortable about the agency’s draft approval. “After further review of the DEP’s draft decision, I would like to acknowledge that the MassDEP is requiring Wheelabrator Saugus to comply with the 150 ppm NOx limit, and I am extremely pleased that the agency will hold Wheelabrator Saugus to the same standards for emissions as other incinerators across the Commonwealth,” Vincent (DEXCEPT | SEE PAGE 11
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