THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 15, 2019 Page 7 Wheelabrator gets four more months to file its emission control plan By Mark E. Vogler T he Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has granted Wheelabrator a fourmonth extension to answer concerns about the emission control plan it submitted last year. Back in December, selectmen submitted a letter to MassDEP, objecting to a new Emission Control Plan filed by Wheelabrator. Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta protested at the time that Wheelabrator “does not want to adhere to the required emission standards that the DEP has imposed.” She noted that Wheelabrator was seeking less restrictive standards because its trash-to-energy ASKS | from page 5 went down. Q: So, how long were the lines? A: Oh, they were 10 to 15 people deep. There was probably a 10-minute wait. Q: You remember that day pretty well. incinerator is one of the oldest plants in the country and finds meeting today’s standards too costly. But James Connolly, Wheelabrator’s vice president of Environmental, Health and Safety, defended the plan submitted by Wheelabrator. “The wasteto-energy industry is among the most stringently regulated in the world. Wheelabrator Saugus complies, and will continue to comply with the current emissions standards the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) deems safe,” Connolly said last year. “Our facility operates in compliance with all regulations established by MassDEP as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These A: Oh yeah, I’ll never forget it. Q: How many people did you serve that day? A: Probably 2,000 to 3,000 people. I’m just going to estimate that. It was crazy. Q: What else do you remember about the day? A: Trying to keep up with evlimits are not a choice, they are mandatory and a base requirement, and Wheelabrator continues to be in compliance,” he said. Panetta said Wednesday night that she was surprised by the extension. “I was expecting that following the initial public comment in November/December, that a draft decision would be released by early February [60 days],” Panetta told The Saugus Advocate following Wednesday night’s board meeting. “However, Wheelabrator has requested a 120-day [or four month] extension to answer concerns raised in the initial comments and to provide supplemental information and material to the DEP relative to their emissions proposal,” Paerything. Q: So, you must have sliced a lot of roast beef that day. A: Yes, I think we went through 50 beef that day, 50 10- to 12-pound beef. And that’s on a Monday. That was crazy. On Saturdays, we’d have 65 of them; we’ll go through 65 of them. And that’s just netta said. “Supplemental material will be provided in the coming weeks, and DEP will render a draft decision by June. Once a draft decision is released, it is my understanding that there will be a 21-day or 30-day comment period for the public, including electeds, to review and submit comments on the draft,” she said. The supplemental submittal will be made through the ePlace Portal. The public has access to review the application and related documents on the Portal (see link, below). Once the supplemental material is submitted by the company through the ePLACE portal, it will also be viewable by any interested person. Please note that MassDEP from 10 in the morning til 5 at night. Never mind from 5 til 1 [a.m.]. There, you’re talking another 30 to 40, so it [first day of Kelly’s-Saugus] was very interesting. I will never forget it as long as I live. Q: So, that was the largest crowd you brought in here? A: Absolutely. The dining maintains a dedicated email box for the Saugus facility at WheelabratorSaugus.MassDEP@mass.gov, which ensures timely access by permit staff and managers alike to any email correspondence. Note also that interested persons will be able to submit comments through the Portal on any draft decision that MassDEP may issue regarding this application. The EEA ePLACE Public Access Portal can be accessed at https://eeaonline.eea.state. ma.us/EEA/PublicApp/. On the Main page, click on the orange “Search All Online Authorizations” button, enter the “Site Name / Owner” (in this case, “Wheelabrator Saugus”) and click “Search” to access the application list. room was packed and people were waiting to sit down. That’s a beautiful thing. Q: As you look ahead – you’re still a young guy at 54. A: Yeah, I got about 12 years left. Q: So, 12 years left here? ASKS | SEE PAGE 8 You deserve more than a job. You deserve an Encore. Encore Boston Harbor is hiring. Explore thousands of fulfilling careers. You deserve an Encore. Meet us at our career fair at the Hynes Convention Center February 24-25, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. In accordance with our host and surrounding community agreements, hiring preference is given to properly qualified residents of the cities of (1) Everett, (2) Malden, and (3) Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Medford, and Somerville.
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