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Residents press commissioners on ReWorld/Covanta incinerator and EMR air pollution; county says air-quality committee and solid-waste work are underway
Summary
Multiple residents urged faster county action on air quality near Camden, pressing the board on the ReWorld (formerly Covanta) incinerator and EMR operations. County officials described an air-quality committee, a solid-waste working group, DEP permit review for proposed baghouse equipment, and efforts to find alternatives to the incinerator.
Residents from Camden and nearby towns urged the Camden County Board of Commissioners to take more aggressive action on air quality and solid-waste disposal, focusing on ReWorld (formerly Covanta) and a facility referred to as EMR.
Dorothy Foley, a Merchantville resident and member of the Camden County Democratic Committee, asked for an update on Covanta/ReWorld and said the incinerator is "nearing the end" of its useful life. Kevin Barfield of Clean Air Camden and other residents described higher rates of asthma, heart disease and other health disparities in Camden and said the cumulative pollution burden requires immediate action.
Commissioner Nash and county officials responded that the county has convened a Camden County Air Quality Committee that includes technical and community representatives and a Solid Waste Council that is exploring alternatives to the incinerator. County officials said they have been pursuing alternatives including recruiting other waste management firms and considering a county transfer station but that firms approached to take the county—s coop tonnage declined. The county also said it is urging the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to act on a ReWorld permit application and that ReWorld has proposed installing a baghouse filtration system; the permit remains under DEP review.
County officials described efforts to reduce the waste stream through composting and other diversion approaches; they said finding a regional compost facility to receive county material has been part of the challenge. A stated goal of the air-quality subcommittee includes removing compostable material from the incinerator feedstock to reduce burn volume. A county official also referenced pending legislation introduced by an Assembly member identified in the record as "Assemblyman Bill Melwin" to subject EMR to state licensing and oversight.
Speakers highlighted local signs warning of possible sewage overflow at Gateway Park and asked whether proposed recreational improvements (a kayak/canoe launch) would proceed given water-quality concerns. County staff said contamination cleanup, DEP review and CCMUA (Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority) work have been part of the background and that they would follow up with residents who provided specific observations.
No binding new regulatory action was taken by the county at the meeting; county officials reported committee work, DEP permit activity and continuing outreach to municipalities as the interim steps being pursued.
