Toxic Legacy: The Ongoing Battle Over Prince George’s Temple Hills Waste Incinerator
For decades, the community of Temple Hills in Prince George’s County, Maryland, has been plagued by the presence of a waste incinerator that has left a toxic legacy in its wake. The incinerator, located at 3500 Temple Hill Road, has been the subject of controversy and outrage among residents, who claim that it has contaminated their air, water, and soil, and has caused a range of health problems.
The Temple Hills waste incinerator, also known as the “Waste-to-Energy” facility, was built in the 1970s and has been operated by various companies over the years, including the current owner, Covanta Energy. The facility burns hundreds of thousands of tons of trash per year, generating electricity and steam, but also releasing toxic pollutants into the environment.
A History of Pollution
The incinerator has a long history of violating environmental regulations and emitting excessive amounts of pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. In the 1980s and 1990s, the facility was repeatedly cited by state and federal agencies for exceeding emissions limits, and was forced to pay fines and make improvements to its pollution control systems.
Despite these efforts, the incinerator continues to be a source of pollution in the community. In 2019, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) found that the facility was emitting excessive amounts of particulate matter, which can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. The MDE also discovered that the incinerator was not properly monitoring its emissions, and was not reporting all of its pollutant releases to the state.
Community Concerns
The community surrounding the incinerator has long been concerned about the impact of the facility on their health and environment. Residents have reported a range of health problems, including asthma, cancer, and neurological disorders, which they attribute to the incinerator’s emissions.
“I’ve lived in Temple Hills for over 20 years, and I’ve seen the impact of the incinerator on our community,” said local resident and activist, Karen Nelson. “We’ve had to deal with air pollution, water contamination, and soil pollution. It’s a constant struggle to keep our community safe and healthy.”
Environmental Justice
The Temple Hills waste incinerator is also a classic example of environmental injustice. The facility is located in a low-income, predominantly African American community, where residents have limited access to resources and are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution.
“Communities of color and low-income communities are always the ones who bear the brunt of environmental pollution,” said Dr. Sacoby Wilson, a professor of environmental health at the University of Maryland. “The Temple Hills incinerator is just one example of how environmental racism is perpetuated in our society.”
The Ongoing Battle
Despite the many challenges and obstacles, the community of Temple Hills continues to fight against the incinerator and its toxic legacy. Residents, activists, and local organizations have been working together to push for stricter regulations, improved pollution controls, and ultimately, the closure of the facility.
In 2020, the Prince George’s County Council passed a resolution calling for the incinerator to be shut down by 2025. The resolution was seen as a major victory for the community, but the battle is far from over.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” said Nelson. “We need to keep pushing for stricter regulations, and we need to make sure that the incinerator is held accountable for its pollution. We won’t give up until our community is safe and healthy.”
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The Temple Hills waste incinerator is a toxic legacy that continues to haunt the community of Prince George’s County. The facility’s history of pollution, combined with its location in a low-income, predominantly African American community, makes it a classic example of environmental injustice.
As the community continues to fight against the incinerator, it is clear that the battle will be long and difficult. However, with persistence, determination, and a commitment to environmental justice, the people of Temple Hills may finally be able to overcome the toxic legacy of the waste incinerator and build a healthier, more sustainable future for themselves and their children.
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