DEP to Hold Hearing Thursday on Incincerator Permit

On Thursday Feb. 21 from 5 pm to 9 pm the Department of Environmental Protection will conduct a public information session on an air permit renewal that calls for equipment improvements to reduce emissions from the Essex County Resource Recovery Facility in Newark.

The facility’s operator, Covanta Essex Company, has proposed installation of a state-of-the-art particulate emissions control system, called a baghouse, on each of the facility’s three combustion units, as well as a new recycling system that will recover more ferrous and non-ferrous metals from residual ash.

The facility is currently in compliance with all environmental permits, and its control of air emissions will be further improved with the baghouse installation.

Representatives of DEP’s Air Quality Permit, Sustainability and Green Energy, Solid Waste and Compliance and Enforcement programs, as well as representatives from the State Board of Public Utilities and the city of Newark, will be available to answer questions about the improved emissions system and the plant.
 
The information session will be held at Newark City Hall, 920 Broad St .  The phone number for City Hall is (973) 733-6400.

In the event of severe weather, a backup date is planned for Feb. 26.  Please call the DEP Help Line at 609-633-8248 (until 4 PM) or check the DEP website  for cancellation information, if necessary.