THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 11, 2019 Page 9 WHEELABRATOR | FROM PAGE 1 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 to 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 (D-Revere) told The Saugus Advocate in a front page story published Sept. 20 “I hope that members of the public will come out to the hearing on October 15th to voice their support for DEP’s Draft Decision, and urge the agency to follow through with its mandate to hold Wheelabrator accountable,” she said. But Vincent said new information that recently came to light prompted her to withdraw her support of the DEP document. “I was thrown off at first because in the application Wheelabrator stated – funny how that happened – that ERCs were not allowed to be used,” Vincent said. “I had many questions. But unless you’re a lawyer with hours to spend trying to read all the technical stuff, you need to ask questions,” she said. Through her questioning of DEP staff, Vincent said, she learned that what was written on Wheelabrator’s application was a mistake. As it turns out, state regulations do allow the use of ERCs for compliance purposes. Saugus selectmen express opposition The highly technical 31-page draft released by the DEP last month provides emission and compliance schedules for the control of certain pollutants – including nitrogen oxide – emitted from the Wheelabrator facility, which is located on Route 107. Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta has already expressed her concerns about the DEP document and specifically lowering the standards for nitrogen oxides. “We understand that Wheelabrator Saugus is the oldest incinerator in the United States, but that shouldn’t give them a ‘pass’ on meeting today’s standards, especially when dealing with the health and safety of our town,” Panetta wrote in a Sept. 26 letter to DEP on behalf of the board. “According to the Environmental Protection Agency website, “Nitrogen Oxides are a family of poisonous, highly reactive gasses …. Exposure to nitrogen oxide include respiratory infections and other respiratory issues (including coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing) as well as asthma,” she wrote. In her letter, Panetta also referred to a policy approved previously by Saugus selectmen that related to waste-to-energy, ash disposal and solid waste facilities within the town. The policy stipulates that selectmen are “opposed to any additional forms of combustion of solid wastes that will yield additional air and ash emissions.” “We ask that you ensure that Wheelabrator Saugus meets the current NOx standards,” Panetta wrote in her letter. “If all the other incinerators in Massachusetts can adhere to these standards so should Wheelabrator Saugus. Our community deserves the same protection,” she said. In the initial draft copy of the letter that Panetta presented to selectmen last month, she wrote “Wheelabrator Saugus does not currently meet the new nitrogen oxide (NOx) limits, where their EMC outlines an emission reduction strategy that does not adhere to the MassDEP’s Board of standards.” But Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeffrey Cicolini expressed concerns about the accuracy of the letter and suggested that it be reviewed by the town’s environmental lawyer before being mailed to the DEP. Cicolini said he wanted “to make sure we’re not saying anything that’s inappropriate or libelous.” “We need to make sure that we are factually correct,” Cicolini added. The portion of the letter accusing Wheelabrator with being out of compliance with nitrogen oxide standards was removed after being reviewed by the town’s environmental lawyer. SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 781-289-6466 WE WORK FOR YOU! * Have your car repaired by Real Manufacturer Certiified Technicians * An I-CAR GOLD CLASS SHOP Highest Certificate in the Repair Industry * Premier Insurance Co. Collision Repair Shop for Geico, Liberty Mutual, Metlife, Progressive and more! * Over 30 Years of putting families back on the Road Safe & Fast! * ATLAS Stands Behind All Repairs with a Limited Lifetime Warranty 1605 North Shore Road, Revere * 781-284-1200 Visit us at: www.AtlasAutobody.com or call (781) 284-1200 to schedule your appointment today!
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