Expanding JRL would be a band-aid approach to waste and materials management and does not address the failures of the current system. Photo: Maksim Safaniuk via Shutterstock
July 16, 2024 (ORONO, ME) –– Today, residents living adjacent to Juniper Ridge Landfill, Penobscot Nation leadership, and environmental advocates called on Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Melanie Loyzim to reject Casella’s public benefit determination application for the expansion of Juniper Ridge Landfill. Citing the company’s long history of neglect and malfeasance while operating Juniper Ridge Landfill, dozens testified in opposition at the public hearing held by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
“For decades, Casella’s Juniper Ridge Landfill has polluted our communities and the Penobscot Nation, releasing dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ into the Penobscot River and emitting toxic gases into the air. Now, Casella wants to add the equivalent of 8.6 Empire State Buildings to the landfill. This is outrageous,” said Alexandra St. Pierre, Director of Communities and Toxics for Conservation Law Foundation. “This reckless expansion cannot be approved as proposed. Mainers have the right to be protected from environmental pollution and to live in and enjoy a clean and healthy environment. Expanding this polluting landfill will deny Mainers that right.”
In urging the commissioner to reject the public benefit determination, community members noted that approving the application would violate environmental justice criteria. The effects of the pollution of Juniper Ridge have long been cited and reported by nearby residents, including air pollution and debilitating odors. Casella’s mismanagement last year caused an uncontrolled burn at the landfill, with residents reporting burning eyes and sore throats from the fires.
“The Penobscot Nation continues to have grave concerns about the management of the Juniper Ridge landfill which has had a negative impact on our lands, waters, and people,” Penobscot Tribal Ambassador Maulian Bryant shared in a statement. “The expansion of Juniper Ridge under Casella perpetuates harms against the Penobscot Nation, who are the original stewards of these lands and waters dating back over 10,000 years. We add our voice to the assertion that there is no public benefit to this expansion, quite the opposite.”
If the Maine DEP approves the public benefit determination, Casella could expand Juniper Ridge Landfill and bury an additional 11.9 million cubic yards of waste and add 11 years to Casella’s operating contract at Juniper Ridge.
“Casella has spent two decades squandering the state’s limited landfill capacity on some of the most toxic substances, importing massive volumes of Construction and Demolition Debris contrary to state statute. The state has the power to fulfill our commitments to the health and safety of residents. Denying this public benefit determination is the first step. Canceling the contract with Casella is next, and then ensuring the long term healthy environment deserved by all people.” said Ed Spencer, neighbor to the landfill and member of Don’t Waste ME.
“What we have here is a billion-dollar multinational corporation whose business model is to import toxic waste from hundreds of miles away. This is not a public benefit; it’s a for-profit scheme made possible because it’s located next to some of the most exploited communities in the state. The state has the opportunity to start remedying the longstanding injustice at Juniper Ridge. It’s time to turn the tide toward zero waste solutions and that begins by issuing a negative public benefit determination,” said Dana Colihan, Co-Executive Director of Slingshot.
Experts are available for further comment.
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