On April 30, 2024, NH HB1620, which "requires the suspension of approval of new landfill permits by the department of environmental services until 2028" was ITL'd by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by a vote of 3-1.
Like an ambush, Senator Pearl and Senator Avard cued up the executive session for HB1620 by having Direct Mike Wimsatt of NHDES lying in wait for its approach, with handouts in hand and speech prepared. Keep in mind, this is not a hearing, which was held on April 2, 2024, with Sarah Yuhas-Kirn representing the department, weighing in with the typical "the department takes no position on this bill...but has concerns, and here they are."
In this instance, Director Wimsatt shares all of the newly-proposed changes to the solid waste rules in order for Senators Pearl and Avard to be able to justify their votes to recommend ITL (inexpedient to legislate) for HB1620 when it goes before the entire NH State Senate later on this month (May 15-16?).
Director Wimsatt's use of "crisis" in terms of landfill capacity, despite 2034 being the department's own date for any capacity shortfall in NH as that is when the Waste Management Turnkey Landfill operating permit is due to expire (and both WM and NHDES have shared that an expansion is more than likely), seems to strongly signal that NHDES is championing a continuation of the status quo by supporting the GSL permit application (since Casella cannot expand NCES due to local opposition and extensive PFAS contamination within the watershed of the Ammonoosuc River, as evidenced by groundwater onitoring reports submitted to NHDES).
Senator Altschiller does a fantastic job in arguing for an OTP (ought to pass) recommendation from the committee, despite being outgunned 4-1 by Avard, Pearl, Birdsell, and Director Wimsatt). A "pause" in the permitting for a new landfill would be beneficial to the state for a wide variety of reasons, allowing for the state to get it right, should a new landfill even be needed anytime before 2054, following the Turnkey Landfill's likely expansion).
Please contact your Senator, and others if you share our desire to prevent NH from becoming Casella's regional trash solution to their regional waste collection landfill capacity shortfall. Approximately 60% of the yearly permitted capacity being sought for the GSL development would originate from out-of-state, based on the math. (NCES operating permit is 230,200 cubic yards/year, GSL seeks 600,000 cubic yards/year).
NH State Senate Roster: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/sena...
HB1620 info: legiscan.com/NH/bill/HB1620/2024
You will also see a swift exec of HB1632 (Proposes a 15% cap on out-of-state trash) as well, following the ambush of HB1620.
Let's hope a brave Senator rises up to champion HB1620, to lead a floor effort to defeat the ITL of HB1620 on the Senate floor and gets HB1620 passed. Remember, HB1620 came out of the House E&A Committee as OTPA (ought to pass as amended) by a vote of 18-0, then passed by a voice vote on the House floor. This bill needs to become law, not killed by the Senate.
According to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Remote-Testify List for Bill HB1620, there were 501 people in SUPPORT, with 4 opposed.
What Avard, Pearl and Wimsatt did, in well-scripted fashion on April 30, was a travesty, with 3 men advocating in support of the GSL landfill in obviously-direct conflict with the will of the House and the people of NH. All 3 men should be able to find a job in the theatre or for the waste industry when they leave public "service".
All of this, of source, is my opinion, based on my experience and research. JS
WMUR news report: www.wmur.com/article/new-hamp...[issue%3A61685]&Waste%20Dive
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