The Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator, located in Marion, Ohio, has been a source of controversy and concern for the local community and environmental activists for decades. The facility, which has been in operation since 1994, has a long history of violating environmental regulations and emitting toxic pollutants into the air. In this news, we will take an in-depth look at the history and controversy surrounding the Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator, and explore the ongoing battle to hold the facility accountable for its actions.
A History of Pollution
The Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator was built in the early 1990s by the company Thermal Distributing Inc. (TDI), which later became part of the company Energy Answers International (EAI). The facility was designed to burn municipal solid waste and industrial waste, including hazardous materials such as PCBs and dioxins. However, from the outset, the facility has been plagued by problems, including equipment failures, emissions violations, and concerns over the health impacts of its operations.
In the late 1990s, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to receive complaints from local residents about the facility’s emissions, which were causing air pollution and health problems in the surrounding community. The EPA launched an investigation, which found that the facility was emitting high levels of toxic pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The agency issued several notices of violation and fines to the facility, but the problems persisted.
Community Opposition
As the problems with the Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator became more apparent, the local community began to organize in opposition to the facility. Residents, concerned about the health impacts of the facility’s emissions, formed a group called the Marion County Citizens for Environmental Justice. The group, which included local residents, business owners, and environmental activists, began to lobby the Ohio EPA and local government officials to take action against the facility.
In 2002, the group filed a lawsuit against the facility, alleging that it was violating federal and state environmental laws. The lawsuit claimed that the facility’s emissions were causing respiratory problems, cancer, and other health issues in the surrounding community. The case was eventually settled out of court, with the facility agreeing to install new pollution controls and pay a fine of $1.5 million.
Ongoing Controversy
Despite the settlement, the controversy surrounding the Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator continues to this day. In recent years, the facility has been the subject of numerous complaints and fines, including a $1.2 million fine in 2018 for violating its air pollution permit. The facility has also been the subject of several inspections, which have found that it is not in compliance with federal and state environmental regulations.
In addition to the environmental concerns, the facility has also been the subject of controversy over its economic impact on the local community. While the facility has created some jobs, it has also been criticized for its negative impact on local property values and the local economy. Many residents have complained that the facility’s emissions have made it difficult to sell their homes or attract new businesses to the area.
A Call for Action
The ongoing battle over the Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator is a reminder that environmental justice is still an elusive goal in many communities. The facility’s history of pollution and non-compliance is a testament to the need for stronger regulations and enforcement to protect public health and the environment.
As the controversy surrounding the facility continues, it is clear that the local community and environmental activists will not give up their fight for justice. The battle over the Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator is a call to action for all of us to demand that our government and corporate leaders take responsibility for protecting public health and the environment. We must work together to ensure that facilities like the Shelby Marion Waste Incinerator are held accountable for their actions and that our communities are protected from the toxic legacy of pollution.
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