Comment period extended
for recycling plant

By Diane Villano
Times Staff Writer

It’s not too late to speak up.
There’s still time for members of the public to voice their concerns to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regarding U.S. Recycling’s permit modification application to increase from 380 to 2,000 tons the daily maximum volume of municipal waste being processed per day at its 6101 Tacony St. plant.
Tacony Civic Association vice president Lou Iatarola Jr. told members gathered at the association’s March 13 meeting that an extension had been granted by the DEP at the request of state Rep. Michael McGeehan (D-173rd dist.) and state Sen. Michael Stack (D-5th dist.).
According to Iatarola, the civic association’s request for an extension for written public comment had been denied by the DEP and was closed on Feb. 12. It has been re-opened and the public now has until April 2 to contact the DEP by e-mail, fax, or traditional mail.
Letters may be e-mailed to rfurlan@state.pa.us, faxed to Ronald C. Furlan’s attention at 484-250-5961, or mailed to Ronald C. Furlan, P.E., Waste Management Program, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 2 East Main St., Norristown, PA 19401.
U.S. Recycling is located on property owned by Newman & Co. Inc., a paperboard manufacturer that has operated at that location for nearly 100 years. It is a separate entity but owned by the Newmans.
While the plant itself is situated in Wissinoming, it is only one block from the Tacony line, a community looking forward to riverfront development.
Association treasurer Linda Salandra read a statement voicing strong opposition to the permit modification at a Jan. 11 meeting at St. Hubert High School. The meeting had been organized by the DEP as part of its procedural process before a decision is made.
Iatarola raised many of the association’s issues regarding the possible five-fold increase of operations.
"They want to create a major, regional trash transfer site on our river. This is going to impact my quality of life," he said.
Specific issues included the impact it would have on planned riverfront development, traffic and pollution — most significantly sulfur dioxide.
"Who’s going to want to live in those condos?" Iatarola asked.
A 2002 emission inventory report from the city Department of Public Health’s Air Management Services division listed Newman & Co. as emitting 113.61 tons per year of sulfur dioxide and 99.62 tons per year of nitrogen dioxide. By comparison, the next highest level of sulfur dioxide in the report belongs to Sunoco Chemicals, 4700 Bermuda St. in Bridesburg, at 120.68.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site, chief causes of concern about sulfur dioxide include respiratory illness in children and the elderly, along with aggravation of existing heart and lung diseases. It also contributes to the formation of acid rain.
The Web site stated, "People with asthma are particularly affected by peak levels of (sulfur dioxide)...EPA encourages communities to learn about the types of industries in their communities and to work with local industrial facilities to address pollution control equipment failures or process upsets that could result in peak levels of (sulfur dioxide)." It also noted that in regard to nitrogen oxides that problems are not confined to the areas where it is emitted.
Iatarola pointed out that a traffic study entered with the permit application showed that there would be minimal impact on traffic flow this year and in 2017.
"It does not factor in homes, commercial development and the (Franklin Towne) charter school. At a minimum the traffic study needs to be revisited," Iatarola said.
A copy of the permit application and subsequent review comments from PennDOT and DEP are available for review at the Tacony Library, 6742 Torresdale Ave.
Civic association board members urged its membership and the surrounding communities to get their letters in to the DEP by the April 2 deadline. ••
For background information and a sample letter, visit www.taconycivic.org/usrecycling.html
Reporter Diane Villano can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com