Fumes and Fury: The Ongoing Debate Over the Riverside Calimesa Waste Incinerator

Fumes and Fury: The Ongoing Debate Over the Riverside Calimesa Waste Incinerator

For decades, the Riverside-Calimesa waste incinerator has been a source of controversy and contention in the southeastern California community. The facility, which burns trash to generate electricity, has been the subject of heated debates, protests, and lawsuits, with many residents and environmental groups claiming that it poses a significant threat to public health and the environment.

Located in the city of Calimesa, the incinerator has been in operation since 1987, burning hundreds of thousands of tons of waste each year. The facility is owned and operated by the Riverside County Waste Management Department, which argues that it provides a necessary service to the community by disposing of waste and generating electricity.

However, opponents of the incinerator claim that it releases toxic pollutants into the air, including particulate matter, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants, they argue, can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory disease, cancer, and neurological damage.

"For years, we’ve been complaining about the fumes and the ash that come from that incinerator," said Maria Rodriguez, a Calimesa resident who has lived near the facility for over 20 years. "It’s like a constant cloud of pollution that hangs over our community, making it hard to breathe and causing all sorts of health problems."

In addition to the health concerns, opponents of the incinerator also argue that it is an outdated and inefficient technology that is no longer necessary. With the development of newer, more sustainable waste management methods, such as recycling and composting, many argue that the incinerator is a relic of the past.

"The incinerator is a dinosaur," said Tom Freeman, a local environmental activist. "We don’t need it anymore. We have better ways of managing our waste that don’t harm the environment or public health."

Despite the opposition, the Riverside County Waste Management Department has consistently defended the incinerator, arguing that it meets or exceeds all federal and state environmental regulations. The department also points out that the facility generates enough electricity to power over 20,000 homes and provides a vital service to the community.

However, many residents and environmental groups remain skeptical, pointing out that the incinerator has a history of non-compliance with environmental regulations. In 2019, the facility was fined over $1 million by the California Air Resources Board for violating air pollution standards.

The debate over the Riverside-Calimesa waste incinerator has also sparked a broader conversation about environmental justice and the disproportionate impact of pollution on low-income and minority communities. Calimesa is a predominantly Latino community, and many residents argue that the incinerator is a classic example of environmental racism.

"We’re not just talking about the incinerator," said Rodriguez. "We’re talking about a whole system of environmental injustice that disproportionately affects communities like ours. We deserve better. We deserve clean air, clean water, and a safe place to live."

As the debate over the incinerator continues, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the facility. While the Riverside County Waste Management Department has announced plans to upgrade the incinerator with new pollution controls, many opponents remain skeptical, arguing that the only solution is to shut the facility down for good.

In the meantime, the fumes and fury will likely continue, with residents and environmental groups remaining vigilant in their efforts to protect their community and the environment. As Freeman said, "We won’t give up. We won’t back down. We’ll keep fighting until we get the justice we deserve."