Local citizens group Protect PT, along with many residents surrounding the site, have had grave concerns about the proposed leachate evaporator, with major worries regarding impacts to air quality with major health implications.
“Residents started complaining about the contaminated air around the landfill over a decade ago, and we got involved in 2020 when the PA DEP proposed this ridiculous solution to WSL’s leachate problem,” said Gillian Graber, Executive Director of Protect PT.
“We knew right away how bad this would be for a community already overburdened with toxic air from the landfill and we wanted to help, " said Graber. “WSL relinquishing plan approval is a huge win for the community.”
The Westmoreland Landfill has accepted waste from shale gas fracking operations since 2010 and has frequently failed to safely dispose of the generated leachate, leaving waste in uncovered piles and discharging contaminated toxic runoff into nearby waterways, according to Protect PT and DEP.
Leachate is contaminated water that percolates through the waste in the landfill, which must be collected and safely disposed of.
Protect PT said the Air Plan Approval was based on unproven technology that would have allowed Westmoreland Landfill to heat the leachate and evaporate the liquid, resulting in airborne emissions of chemicals, including carcinogens and radioactive particles, leaving behind the solids. [Read more here]
The landfill’s leachate cannot be sent to the local wastewater treatment facility because it could not adequately treat it. [Read more here]
Protect PT said the landfill continues to be trucked to other facilities across the state, creating harmful effects through its transit and for disposal in municipal landfills that are not designed to accept such waste.
Acting on residents’ concerns, Protect PT and resident James Sepesky engaged Lisa Johnson & Associates and appealed the PA DEP’s approval to the Environmental Hearing Board on February 7, 2024.
“Protect PT and Mr. Sepesky should have never had to bring this action. The PA DEP's issuance of the Air Plan Approval was improper and violated residents' constitutional rights under the Environmental Rights Amendment to clean air and pure water. The surrender of the Air Plan Approval is testament to the power of Mr. Sepesky asserting his rights and Protect PT's grassroots organizing. My team and I are proud to represent them,” said Attorney Johnson.
Local resident James Sepesky said, "While I still don’t have complete faith that this is the end for the evaporator, I’m relieved that at this point the application is being withdrawn. All of us residents here in the area around WSL must remain vigilant in our fight against all of the other issues that continue to pop up at that site, including noise, noxious smells, mud, and runoff on our roads and in our streams. A special thanks to the folks at Protect PT for all the hard work they do each and every day!"
The Westmoreland Landfill has been the subject of four consent orders and agreements and civil penalties to address issues related to the generation and discharge of leachate from the landfill.
Protect PT said-- “This fight is not over, as the landfill continues to generate leachate that is discharged into our environment and harms human health.
“It is the opinion of Protect PT and their attorney that the landfill be shut down, inspected, and remediated by the PA DEP and EPA.
“While the leachate problem remains, the withdrawal of the evaporator permit is a big win for the residents around WSL. Protect PT will continue to take steps to protect the rights of the community.”
Visit the Protect PT website to learn more about this issue, other programs and initiatives and upcoming events.
Resource Links - Westmoreland Landfill:
-- DEP: Westmoreland Landfill To Pay $59,000 Penalty To Address Multiple Violations [PaEN]
Upcoming Events
-- September 19-- Virtual. Southwestern PA Community, Health Organizations To Hold Sept. 19 Webinar - One Year After Pitt Shale Gas Health Impacts Studies And The Failure To Fulfill Essential Promises Made To Residents. 6:00 p.m.
-- September 24-- Center For Coalfield Justice Hosts Program In Washington County On Increasing Setbacks From Oil & Gas Infrastructure
Related Articles This Week:
-- Cecil Township, Washington County Posts Proposed Ordinance Increasing Setbacks From Shale Gas Well Pads Of 2,500 Feet From Homes, Businesses; 5,000 Feet From Schools, Hospitals; Nov. 4 Hearing, Meeting Set [PaEN]
-- Environmental Health Project: State Dept. Of Health Progress On Implementing Recommendations After Pitt Health Studies Show Impacts From Shale Gas Development ‘Extremely Limited’ [PaEN]
-- Exploding Water Well Shed Triggers DEP Investigation Of 59+ Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells In Cyclone, McKean County; Highlights Limits On Providing Temporary Water For Well Owners Impacted [PaEN]
-- Protect PT: Westmoreland Landfill Surrenders Air Quality Permit For An Evaporator System To Dispose Of Leachate Wastewater Impacted By Shale Gas Drilling Waste [PaEN]
-- Del-Chesco United For Pipeline Safety: Texas Explosion Shows Communities In PA With Energy Transfer's Mariner East Pipeline And Other Pipelines Are Vulnerable To The Same Unmitigated Risk From Unsecured Pipeline Valves [PaEN]
-- Southwestern PA Community, Health Organizations To Hold Sept. 19 Webinar - One Year After Pitt Shale Gas Health Impacts Studies And The Failure To Fulfill Essential Promises Made To Residents [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- The Energy Age Blog: North Fayette Residents Raise Concerns About Proposed Range Resources Fracking Site In Allegheny County
[Posted: September 18, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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