Politics & Government

DEM Presses Landfill Company On Ending Odors

The Department of Environmental Management issued a letter to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation setting out the state agency's expectations for completion of work to stop odor problems at the Central Landfill.

Calling the upcoming week "a critical juncture" in the ongoing work to address , state Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit issued a letter to on Dec. 9 that outlines the agency's expectations for work being done by RIRRC.

In the letter, Coit wrote that a new "flare" for burning methane captured from the landfill is scheduled to be operational today, and that a review of the ongoing work to address the odor problems is expected to be completed by tomorrow.

Resource Recovery responded with its own letter, issued Dec. 11, that explains the company has installed 27 new gas collection wells; covered trash with more material than required by law; and installed a new system that will remove water from gas-collection pipes.

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The corporation blamed the recent odor problems — which reportedly spread through several communities — on water clogging gas-removal pipes.

Last week, Mayor Joseph Polisena announced that , the company that runs a methane-burning plant at the Landfill.

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to Coit's letter, RIRRC provided information that showed "the amount of gas collected from the overall facility began dropping in April 2010 and continued, with a significant decrease in collection evident starting in May 2011, through to current conditions. The cause of this drop is not known at this time."

Coit also wrote that DEM could order the company to add more material for burying trash; stop all collection of construction debris; and install new wells and flares if the odor problems continue.

RIRRC Director Michael OConnell wrote in his company's letter that another 15 wells are scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31, and added that RIRRC and Broadrock will continue to work to solve the problem.

“We are well aware that this issue has been a prolonged problem to our
surrounding community and are incredibly grateful for the patience our neighbors have shown," OConnell wrote. "Neither our organization nor Broadrock Renewables will rest until this is resolved.”

A meeting of the , chaired by Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Johnston, Cranston) is scheduled for Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at Johnston High School.


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