Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009

TTT JULY 29: HENNEPIN COUNTY's GARBAGE BURNER: Should It Up Its Emissions 21%?

Download this episode (57 min)
The Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC), (Hennepin garbage burner) wants to bump its garbage-burning by 21%. The facility's MPCA permit expired in 2003, but it's been allowed to function without review or renewing since then. That permit allowed Covanta - the private operating firm - to send 2.2 million pounds of pollutants per year into the city's air. According to all documents, among the deadly compounds contaminating our breathing apparatus are 2,200 pounds of lead - the same lead we've been stripping off home and school walls for its effect on brain development in children, among other ills. Another? Mercury - already acknowledged as a fish killer and cancer creator in humans: 360 pounds per year. After the city's planning commission denied Covanta's and the Hennepin County's request for a conditional use permit (CUP) to increase that output by 21% - or 212 tons of garbage PER DAY more than the 1,000 tons currently permitted, they appealed to the Minneapolis City Council's Zoning Committee before consideration by the full Council. HERC's last-minute decision to postpone the Zoning Committee hearing for state review will delay the appeal for months.

TTT's ANDY DRISCOLL queries environmental advocates and citizens absent full participation by HERC officials.

GUESTS: • State Rep. FRANK HORNSTEIN, (DFL-60B) - Minneapolis • JUSTIN EIBENHOLZL - Environmental Program Coordinator for SECIA (Southeast Como Improvement Assn.) • DARRELL GERBER - Clean Water Action Program Coordinator • NANCY HONE of Neighbors Against the Burner and Minneapolis Neighbors for Clean Air • UNAVAILABLE: JOHN SIGMOND - Business Manager for Covanta Hennepin Energy Resource Co, LLP (or a representative of Covanta or Hennepin County)

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