WMI Fights Expansion Denial

   One is not surprised to hear that WMI is again fighting a government decision. This time they are appealing the decision of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to reject their proposal to expand their Alliance Landfill in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. DEP determined that the harms of the expansion were greater than the advantages. The appeal will be heard by the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.

   Alliance Against Alliance (AAA), the local citizen group, is fighting the 147 acre expansion of the landfill. In response to imported trash from New York City, an Alliance spokesperson said, "We are tired of being dumped on and want a say." AAA supports Pennsylvania House Bill 1436 which requires a host municipality to agree to imports from other states. The bill passed the house and is now before the State Senate. The bill also places a moratorium on new landfills and on average daily volume increase requests.

   In February 2002 DEP secretary David E. Hess announced a $3.7 million civil penalty to settle violations at Alliance Landfill. Former owners had accepted 36,000 tons more trash than allowed during 1995 and 1996.

   The Alliance Against Alliance plans to fight Waste Management in its appeal to the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.