NJ opposition helps extinguish proposed Pa incinerator

A company that hoped to build a hazardous-waste incinerator in lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania has put its efforts on hold indefinitely and a law firm across the river in New Jersey is taking the credit.

Route 13 Bristol Partners had been seeking a variance from the Bristol Township zoning board to build the 50,000-square-foot incinerator. Attorney Allen Toadvine said the firm withdrew its zoning application in a letter on Wednesday.


"We haven’t decided to pull out totally," he attorney said. "But we need additional time to gather that information. And once we do that we’ll decide whether to reapply to Bristol Township."
Toadvine said that the township had asked had asked for more specifics on the potential release of pollutants, but he said that the firm would need to choose a manufacturer for the plant before it could provide those details.

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The proposal for the incineration of pesticides and pharmaceuticals near the Delaware River drew heavy opposition from the governing bodies and residents of downwind towns Bristol, Pa and Burlington, NJ.

Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Fader, the law firm hired by the City of Burlington to fight the construction, seized the opportunity to announce the project’s retreat in a congratulatory news release that included this cheeky bit of name-dropping:

"Named partner and long time environmental protection advocate, Governor James J. Florio and Firm partner Louis Cappelli, Jr., have been heavily involved in the matter, zealously representing the City of Burlington’s concerns…"

To the victors belong the PR spoils.

Related environmental news stories:
Firm puts Lower Bucks incinerator plan on back burner
Bristol incinerator plan moves to back burner
Unruly audience opposes Bristol, Pa. incinerator
Bristol Borough Council unanimously adopts resolution opposing
Bristol Borough voices ‘deep, deep concern’ over plans for incinerator

NJ opposition helps extinguish proposed Pa incinerator Read More »

EPA finalizes cleanup plan for Superfund site in NJ


The federal Environmental Protection Agency said today that it has finalized a plan to clean up contaminated soil and groundwater at the LCP Chemicals Superfund site in Linden (Union County), N.J.

"The soil, ground water and sediment from a stream on the site were contaminated with mercury and other pollutants from previous industrial activities," the EPA said in a news release.

"The final cleanup plan requires demolishing the contaminated buildings on the site, treating some of the contaminated soil, capping all of the soil and treating the contaminated ground water." the EPA said

The agency said that exposure to mercury "can damage people’s nervous systems and harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune systems. Mercury in soil and sediment can also impact fish and other wildlife."


The 26-acre site is located in an industrial area on the Tremley Point peninsula next to the Arthur Kill in Linden. Originally a coastal marshland, the land was filled in and developed for industrial use.

LCP Chemicals purchased a chlorine production facility on the site in 1972 and operated there from 1972 through 1985, when it stopped operations. Sampling of soil, sediment, surface water and the underlying ground water revealed elevated levels of mercury and other contaminants.

The site was added to the Superfund list in 1998.


According to the EPA, the final cleanup plan requires capping of the contaminated soil to prevent direct contact with it and reduce the potential for people to breathe mercury vapors that could get into the air from the soil.

“The cap will have a layer of sulfur beneath a geosynthetic membrane that will convert the mercury into mercury sulfide, a form of mercury that does not turn into vapor or dissolve, “ the EPA said. “The membrane will further prevent the mercury from releasing vapors and help to keep rainwater from getting into the underlying ground water.”


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The EPA said that buildings on site will be demolished. Porous building material that has visible signs of contamination will be treated with sulfur. Demolition debris will be separated and, if suitable, recycled. The debris that cannot be recycled will be processed to reduce its size and then placed under the cap with other contaminated materials.


Under the plan, the stream, the most highly contaminated sediment will be dug up and moved upstream where it will be capped. The excavated area and a nearby ditch will be restored with clean sediment and the wetlands will be reconstructed.

Contaminated ground water from the site will be extracted and treated, the agency said.

"A barrier will also be put in place to further limit the potential for contaminated ground water to spread. The ground water will be monitored and deed restrictions will be put in place to restrict its use and other activities that could disturb the cleanup. Future on-site construction will be restricted to commercial use."

Click here to view the EPA’s record of decision for the LCP Chemicals site.

EPA finalizes cleanup plan for Superfund site in NJ Read More »

Capitol Hill Enviro-Calendar: February 26-28, 2014

  

Hearings on Energy and Environment Issues and Legislation

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE

Subcommittee on Health
10:00 a.m. 2123 Rayburn
Hearing entitled "Messing with Success: How CMS’ Attack on the Part D Program Will Increase Costs and Reduce Choices for Seniors", 10 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.

HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
10:00 a.m. 1324 Longworth 202-225-9297
Hearing entitled "American Energy Jobs: Opportunities for Veterans", 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.


HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation
10:00 a.m. 1334 Longworth
Hearing on the following legislation: H.R. 503, the "National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act"; H.R. 712, to extend the authorization of the Highlands Conservation Act through fiscal year 2024; H.R. 1192, the "Mount Jessie Benton Fre’mont"; H.R. 1501, the "Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument Preservation Act"; H.R. 1744, the "Multispecies Habitat Conservation Plan Implementation Act"; H.R. 2569, the "Upper Missisquoi and Trout Wild and Scenic Rivers Act"; H.R. 3222, the "Flushing Remonstrance Study Act"; H.R. 3366, to provide for the release of the property interests retained by the United States in certain land conveyed in 1954 by the United States, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, to the State of Oregon for the establishment of the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center of Oregon State University in Hermiston, Oregon; H.R. 3802, to extend the legislative authority of the Adams Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in honor of former President John Adams and his legacy, and for other purposes, 10 a.m., 1334 Longworth.



THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
10:15 a.m. 2123 Rayburn
Hearing entitled "Benefits of and Challenges to Energy Access in the 21st Century: Electricity", 10:15 a.m., 2123 Rayburn.

HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
10:00 a.m. 1324 Longworth
Markup on the following legislation: H.R. 1103, to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that Alexander Creek, Alaska, is and shall be recognized as an eligible Native village under that Act, and for other purposes; H.R. 1259, the "Coltsville National Historical Park Act"; H.R. 2015, the "Las Vegas Valley Public Land and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument Act of 2013"; H.R. 3110, the "Huna Tlingit Traditional Gull Egg Use Act"; and H.R. 3605, the "Sandia Pueblo Settlement Technical Amendment Act", 10 a.m., 1324 Longworth.


HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
1:30 p.m. 1334 Longworth 202-226-0200
Hearing on the following legislation: H.R. 3105, the "Aquaculture Risk Reduction Act"; H.R. 3280, the "Lacey Act Clarifying Amendments Act"; H.R. 3324, the "Lacey Act Paperwork Reduction Act"; and H.R. 4032, the "North Texas Invasive Species Barrier Act", 1:30 p.m., 1334 Longworth. |
 


HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
2:00 p.m. 1324 Longworth 202-225-9297
Hearing entitled "Obama Administration Oversight: GAO Report–Interior Hiring and Retention Challenges", 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth.

SENATE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Subcommittee on Water and Power
2:30 p.m. SD-366
To hold hearings to examine S. 1419, to promote research, development, and demonstration of marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy technologies, S. 1771, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to adjust the Crooked River boundary, to provide water certainty for the City of Prineville, Oregon, S. 1800, to require the Secretary of the Interior to submit to Congress a report on the efforts of the Bureau of Reclamation to manage its infrastructure assets, S. 1946, to amend the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 to modify the authorization of appropriations, S. 1965, to amend the East Bench Irrigation District Water Contract Extension Act to permit the Secretary of the Interior to extend the contract for certain water services, S. 2010 and H.R. 1963, bills to amend the Water Conservation and Utilization Act to authorize the development of non-Federal hydropower and issuance of leases of power privileges at projects constructed pursuant to the authority of the Water Conservation and Utilization Act, S. 2019, to reauthorize and update certain provisions of the Secure Water Act, and S. 2034, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to facilitate the transfer to non-Federal ownership of appropriate reclamation projects or facilities, 2:30 p.m., SD-366.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES
9:30 a.m. 1324 Longworth
Hearing on discussion draft of legislation regarding Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act, 9:30 a.m., 1324 Longworth.

Recent posts:

Capitol Hill Enviro-Calendar: February 26-28, 2014 Read More »

Langan adds four Senior Principals in NJ, PA and NY

There are four new Senior Principals at Langan Engineering & Environmental Services. They are: Richard Burrow, PE, LEED AP (New Jersey); Gerard Coscia, PE, LSRP (Pittsburgh); Marc Gallagher, PE, LEED AP (New York); and Christopher Lager, PE,
LEED AP (Philadelphia).

Richard Burrow 


Richard Burrow leads a group of engineers that specialize in industrial projects ranging from warehouse/distribution centers to mission critical facilities, and commercial projects such as corporate headquarters and ecommerce fulfillment centers in the New York Metro area. A member of NAIOP, he has provided expert engineering testimony for over 15 million SF of warehouse distribution development.

Gerry Coscia


Gerard Coscia is an environmental consultant in the energy field, specializing in the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites. In 2010, he took the lead in opening Langan’s Pittsburgh office, which has grown to 18 professionals supporting exploration and pipeline projects in the Marcellus Shale, as well as numerous high-profile projects in the city itself, such as PNC Tower, demolition engineering of the Civic Arena (the “Igloo”), and game-day traffic and parking consulting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Marc Gallagher is leading the Langan team engaged on the largest real estate project in the country–Hudson Yards. Although based in New York, he leads challenging geotechnical, civil and environmental projects around the world, including large developments in the United Arab Emirates, major sports facilities in Iraq, and infrastructure projects in Greece.


Chris Hager heads Langan’s Philadelphia office, and is currently the Chair of the Philadelphia Urban Land Institute District Council. Under his leadership, Langan has become a trusted consultant to the design and development community in and around the city, notably on projects like Parx Casino, Race Street Pier, the expansion of Lincoln Financial Field, and Cooper University Cancer Center, as well as multiple assignments at the University of Pennsylvania and on numerous environmentally challenged sites in the region.

Founded in 1970, Langan provides integrated site engineering and environmental consulting services for private developers, property owners, and public sector clients. Langan employs 800 professionals and has regional offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, North Dakota, and California. With more than 125 LEED APs, the firm ranks among the top Green Design Firms by Engineering News-Record and has consistently ranked among the Best Engineering Firms to Work For by CE News

Recent posts:
Canada geese taking a bite out of Jersey/Pennsy farms

NJ environment bills in committee in Trenton – Feb 24
NY village, enviros clash over water sales to fracker

Langan adds four Senior Principals in NJ, PA and NY Read More »

Canada geese taking a bite out of Jersey/Pennsy farms

Canada geese taking a bite out of local farms – Akira Suwa (Inquirer)

Farmers call them “flying rats” or “deer with wings.”

They gather by the tens of thousands every year about this time to graze on sprouting winter wheat, rye, alfalfa, and barley. 

They’re voracious, persistent, and dirty, leaving behind a trail of droppings. 

Canada geese. 

“You see a couple, then 10, 50, 100, 300,” said farmer Ray Hlubik, 61, of Chesterfield, Burlington County. Soon, like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, “they cover a whole field. 

“They decimated my alfalfa last year,” Hlubik said. And in the early spring, “they pulled the tops off my sweet corn.”

That’s how Philadelphia Inquirer writer Edward Colimore sets up his story about the “foul problems in New Jersey and Pennsylvania cost farmers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in lost produce and force the replanting of geese-ravaged fields.”

Recent posts:

NJ environment bills in committee in Trenton – Feb 24
NY village, enviros clash over water sales to fracker

Canada geese taking a bite out of Jersey/Pennsy farms Read More »

NJ environment bills in committee in Trenton – Feb 24

Legislation to allow small, controlled fires in state forests (to prevent larger ones), establish fishing licenses for the taking of Menhaden, set carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide air quality standards for ice arenas, and require state buildings to be topped with green or blue roofs are among nine environmental bills up for debate Monday at 2 p.m. in Assembly committees.

Here’s the lineup.

ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Committee Room 15, 4th Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
A-1275  Dancer, R.S. (R-12); Conaway, H. (D-7);
Caride, M. (D-36)
Authorizes prescribed burning in certain circumstances.
     
A-1775  McKeon, J.F. (D-27); Moriarty, P.D. (D-4);
Chivukula, U.J. (D-17)
Establishes forest stewardship program for State-owned lands.
     
A-2684  Andrzejczak, B. (D-1)
Establishes Menhaden Personal Use and Limited Sale
License and permits use of certain gear for taking of menhaden.
     Feb 24, 2014  – Posted: Assembly Agriculture
and Natural Resources
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ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT AND SOLID WASTE

Committee Room 9, 3rd Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
A-361  Caputo, R.R. (D-28); Chivukula, U.J. (D-17)
Requires Department of Health and Senior Services to establish carbon monoxide and nitrogen
dioxide air quality standards and certification requirements for ice arenas.
     
A-1726  Eustace, T.J. (D-38); Lagana, J.A. (D-38);
Mosquera, G.M. (D-4)
Amends “Flood Hazard Area Control Act” to
require DEP to take certain actions concerning delineations of flood hazard
areas and floodways.
     
A-1828  Lampitt, P.R. (D-6); Vainieri Huttle, V.
(D-37); McKeon, J.F. (D-27); Stender, L. (D-22)
Requires BPU to establish Energy Efficiency Leadership
awards program.
     
A-1928  Conaway, H. (D-7); Singleton, T. (D-7);
Riley, C.M. (D-3)
Requires DEP to conduct vibration analysis along routes
for disposal of dredged material from Delaware River.  Related Bill: S-1301
     
A-2303  DeAngelo, W.P. (D-14)
Requires certain State departments, divisions,
commissions, and authorities to consider use of green or blue roof in
construction of certain new State buildings, facilities, and structures.
     
AR-48  Chivukula, U.J. (D-17); McKeon, J.F. (D-27);
Gusciora, R. (D-15)
Urges NJ participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas
Initiative because of its importance to national security and energy
independence.

Recent posts:NY village, enviros clash over water sales to fracker
     

NJ environment bills in committee in Trenton – Feb 24 Read More »