Re: incinerator closing

["Jon Campbell" <jon@cqs.com>]

Hi, Rb,

     Thanks for the posting. Yes, I know Jonathan and am working with LEJC
on the issue. They are great people and are taking the lead on this one.

       We've been accumulating the same kind of material. We DID close one
(although the company claimed it was for economic reasons, Ogden Martin
closed it on the eve when we had scheduled a press event at the incinerator,
after issuing many public information sheets about it and getting community
support for closure. Fortunately it was one of those incinerators which was
on the edge of profitability, so they just decided it wasn't worth the
trouble).

Thanks again
Jon
----- Original Message -----
From: <RobC313@aol.com>
To: <jon@cqs.com>; <dioxin-l@essential.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 1999 5:11 PM
Subject: Re: incinerator closing


> Jon
> Here is a posting I had sent to another listserve commenting on the work
that
> was done.  Nothing really new, just a lot of it.  If you or anyone else
would
> like to add to the list perhaps we could compile something we could call
'A
> thousand ways to close an incinerator"
>
> Also, the Lawrence Environmental Justice Council (978-688-3569) has been
> active against the BFI incinerator, perhaps you know them and can work
> together. If you find the key that shuts off incinerators be sure to let
us
> know
>
> Rob Cedar
> HEAT-Hamtramck Environmental Action Team
>
>
> Congratulation again to the Western Michigan Environmental Action Council
on
> closing the regional  commercial incinerator in Grand Rapids Michigan  The
> BFI incinerator had been operating in violation and noncompliance for 8
years
> and it took a 7 month concentrated effort by WMEAC's  Environmental Health
> Work Group to close it down. I personally had the opportunity of attending
a
> few of their meetings and am not surprised by these results.  Jenny Allen
> leading a group of determined and aggressive volunteers, most notably
Maris
> Bracheau, Angie Jenkins and others took on the incinerator as though it
was a
> matter of life or death.  Mounting a strategic plan that heaped pressure
on
> the decision makers they undoubtedly influenced the outcome and closed an
> incinerator that should not have been operating. Add a big thank you to
that
> congratulations. Your victory is an inspiration.
>
> Jenny would be to modest to itemize their accomplishments but I believe we
> could all benefit from a quick list of WMEAC's seven months of activism
that
> closed a 28 ton per day commercial medical incinerator.
>
> It started with
> Hosted an appearance of Andrea Martin Tour in conjunction with Ecology
Center
> of Ann Arbor
>
> Utilized existing and expanded media contacts to publicize the issue
>
> Actively sought information on the incinerator including welcoming HEAT to
> provide a background on medical waste processing.. FOIAed  state records
to
> learn about the history of the incinerator, studied FOIAed documents and
> begin dialogs with local state regulatory agencies.
>
> Wrote informed and detailed letters to DEQ and BFI challenging technical
> assumptions and warning of costly but ineffective upgrades. Used actual
> specifics from FOIAed documents.  Assured all concerned that the community
> was keeping a watchful eye on the incinerator compliance issue,
>
> Made initial contacts with local hospitals to create awareness of
incinerator
> issue and mercury reduction using HCWH's Greening Hospitals survey for
> discussion points.
>
> Organized letter writing campaigns to EPA,  MDEQ, Grand Rapids City
> commissioner's Office and BFI (stricycle) with outreach to affected
community
> groups and  churches
>
> Kept the issue alive in their own newsletter and thru media events
including
> the HCWH mercury press release of hospitals taking the mercury free
pledge.
>
> Kept asking for original air dispersion model from DEQ when told one
wasn't
> conducted as normally required.
>
> Attended City Commissioners meeting asking for a resolution to close the
> incinerator.
>
> Contacted Environmental Justice leaders David May in Grand Rapids and
Robert
> Bullard in Ann Arbor providing socio-economic particulars on downwind
> minority neighborhoods. (obtained from census data).
>
> Met with the Mayor to discuss problem and introduce resolution.
>
> Met with candidate opposing mayor when mayor proved to be unreceptive.
>
> Distributed flyers to several block clubs and community groups to
> re-distribute to their respective communities.
>
> Wrote petition and begin to organize neighborhoods near incinerator for a
> petition drive.
>
>
> Closed the incinerator!
>
> And I'm sure dozens of other thing I'm not even aware of. My point is that
we
> know there are plenty of medical incinerators out there that should have
been
> shut down years ago. I know many of you have already done all these things
> but if you haven't called the mayor since the last election maybe its
time.
> For the rest of us trying to figure out what to do next, maybe there's a
> useful idea or two. If anyone would like copies of any of the letters I am
> sure they would be available for the asking.
>
> Rob
> HEAT
>