[Durham INC] FW: Return of the mega-landfill debate

[Pat Carstensen]

Just what we needed -- going back to being the target of junk from Europe and the NE United States!

Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:53:08 -0400
From: molly.diggins at sierraclub.org
Subject: Return of the mega-landfill debate
To: NC-CONS-FORUM at LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG

A bill moving through the NC Senate in the final days of the session would upend a landmark solid waste bill passed by the NCGA in 2007.   S 328, Solid Waste Management Reform Act of 2013, could be heard in Senate Finance as soon as this Tuesday.




The 2007 legislation was enacted following a year's moratorium on landfill permits while the state undertook a comprehensive study of North Carolina's own policies and those of other states. The result was the most sweeping overhaul of solid waste policies since 1991.  S. 328 in large measure turns the clock back.




The 2007 legislation came about in part in response to out-of-state waste haulers efforts to secure permits to build mega-dumps east of I-95. 




S. 328, by Sens. Trudy Wade, Harry Brown and Brent Jackson, would:



drastically reduce or eliminate buffers between landfills and state parks, game lands, national wildlife refuges, wetlands etc.


eliminate minimum financial assurance requirements for private landfills


allow landfills to be built to heights taller than the Cape Hatteras lighthouse (300 feet)


eliminate state protections to ensure that low income and minority populations are not disproportionately affected by the siting of landfills


restrict DENR's authority and discretion in denying permits


The purpose of the bill appears to be to make North Carolina attractive to out-of-state waste haulers.




NC itself has actually increased landfill capacity by 30% since 2007.  And according to recent public reports, North Carolina has for the second straight year set a record for the lowest solid waste disposal rate since the state began measuring tonnage in 1991.




Look for an alert soon -- or don't wait. Call or write your representatives in opposition to S 328.




Molly


-- 


Molly Diggins, State DirectorNC Sierra Club19  W. Hargett Street Suite 210Raleigh NC 27601919.833-8467 molly.diggins at sierraclub.org



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