Weatherford Democrat
Heather Reifsnyder
Today could be pivotal for whether the state of Texas allows IESI to expand its landfill operation southwest of Weatherford. Three separate groups filed motions with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to overturn the IESI’s permit modification, whereby the company can use 22 more acres for trash disposal.
TCEQ commissioners had a deadline today if they want to consider overturning the permit modification.
Weatherford Rep. Phil King’s office said it planned to send a letter to TCEQ Thursday asking it to extend today’s deadline by two weeks, giving concerned landfill neighbors more time to make known their stance against the expansion. IESI informally agreed to an expansion through Wednesday, said Trey Trainor, King’s chief of staff.
TCEQ is not required to honor King’s request.
Most of a new coalition of about 50 concerned neighbors only recently learned of IESI’s plans to expand. One of them, Ed Kramer, contacted King’s office Wednesday. It was the first time anyone has contacted the representative with concerns about the expansion, which has been in the works for months.
“Nobody knows that there’s an expansion, so how can you have an objection if there isn’t knowledge?” Kramer said.
Kramer learned of the expansion just two days ago after being called by Eleanor Whitmore of Texas Campaign for the Environment. He and his wife live on 200 acres that is within sight of the landfill and its machines.
“I was incredibly upset,” Kramer said. “I immediately wanted to consider a plan of action.”
As required by TCEQ, IESI informed people who live within 500 feet – less than a tenth of a mile – of the landfill of the plans to expand. But people like Kramer and his neighbors in the nearby Westridge subdivision live beyond 500 feet, yet within sight of the landfill.
IESI Regional Vice President Jeff Peckham said the company has met with many people in the area about its operations, including people who live beyond 500 feet away.
Kramer also contacted Weatherford Mayor Joe Tison and addressed City Council Tuesday night, giving the council members copies of a note which he invited them to send to TCEQ. The letter stated that they no longer approve of the expansion.
The Democrat was not able to find out whether any of the council members sent the letter.
Wednesday night, the neighbors group met with Texas Campaign for the Environment’s Whitmore.
Whitmore said her organization is concerned that TCEQ Executive Director Glenn Shankle agreed in November to IESI’s permit modification instead of requiring the waste company to file for a major amendment, a lengthier process which requires public hearings. Texas Campaign for the Environment, another group of nearby landowners and TCEQ’s own internal public interest council all filed petitions asking for the decision to be overturned. TCEQ’s three commissioners will make the decision.
IESI bought the landfill from the city of Weatherford in May 2003 for $4.9 million. The company then began bringing in trash from other counties, greatly increasing the landfill’s intake.
Tags: problem waste facilities
Categories: News Clipping
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