THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 18, 2019 Page 3 DEP hearing on emission control plan Saugus and Revere residents express concerns about Wheelabrator being allowed to use emission credits to meet proposed pollution standards recycle metals,” Connolly said. “Wheelabrator Saugus will DEP HEARING | SEE PAGE МС By Mark E. Vogler S augus Board of Health Member Shawn Ayube scolded representatives of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) when he got his chance to comment on an emission control plan (ECP) for the Wheelabrator Saugus incinerator. “It’s absurd and it’s gross negligence,” Ayube said of a provision within the draft copy of Wheelabrator’s plan that enables the company to buy Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs) in order to meet more stringent standards for Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Ayube was one of 40 residents – mostly from Saugus and Revere – who testified Tuesday night during a threehour hearing in the Saugus High School auditorium on DEP’s draft approval of Wheelabrator’s pending application to update its ECP. All of them opposed the plan. Under the proposed DEP draft, the maximum 24-hour average NOx emissions from Wheelabrator Saugus would be reduced from a limit of 205 parts per million (ppm) to 150 ppm. Nitrogen oxides are poisonous and highly reactive gases that can contribute to respiI ratory and heart problems. At face value, many critics of Wheelabrator – including Democratic State Rep. RoseLee Vincent – were initially supportive of the DEP draft document until they learned about the ERCs. The only way Wheelabrator can meet this new limit on paper is by buying ERCs instead of actually reducing the levels of NOx emissions from the incinerator. “An ERC is a ‘credit’ created by another facility that is emitting NOx at levels below its emission limit,” according to a recent press release issued by the Alliance for Health and Environment. “If Wheelabrator purchases enough of these credits, DEP would treat Wheelabrator as if it were only emitting 150 ppm of NOx, even if the Saugus incinerator is actually emitting NOx at much higher levels,” the Alliance noted. Wheelabrator’s response Jim Connolly, Wheelabrator Vice President of Environmental, Health and Safety, was the 41st and last to testify during the DEP hearing, which was attended by about 150 people. He was the lone supporter of the plan. “Waste-to-energy is an environmentally beneficial means CORRECTION n the Oct. 11, 2019, issue of The Saugus Advocate, in a frontpage story headlined “Call it anything except the truth,” there was a factual error in the final paragraph of the story. We reported inaccurately that a portion of the letter written by Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta accusing Wheelabrator with being out of compliance with nitrogen oxide standards was removed after being reviewed by the town’s environmental lawyer. Several selectmen expressed concerns about the accuracy of a draft of the letter that Panetta presented at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting last month. They suggested that it be reviewed by the town’s environmental lawyer before being mailed to the state Department of Environmental Protection. An environmental lawyer reviewed the letter and determined that there were no problems in its original form and advised Panetta that it was okay for her to send it. The letter was not changed from the original version. The Advocate regrets the error. 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 Restaurant 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. of managing our solid waste. It is recognized around the world as an effective way to reduce greenhouse gases by offsetting the use of fossil fuels, divert trash from landfills and Debra Panetta 2 on the ballot# 3 Locations Saugus Groceria, 190 Main Street 781-231-9599 West End, Boston, 75 Blossom Court 617-227-6141 Seaport Boston, 1 Park Lane 857-366-4640 PREPARED FOODS BUTCHER SHOP BAKERY
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