Group’s letter to DES goes unanswered
Environmental Business Council of New England will hold a meeting Friday in Manchester, NH with top EPA Region 1 and DES officials. Sponsored by Eversource and Normandeau Associates. It is moderated by former NH DES Commissioner Robert Varney.
Working on Waste (WOW) is seeking answers to questions about EPA’s proposed regulatory rollbacks. The group reached out to the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) in a May 21 letter to senior leadership. The questions are straight-forward and self-explanatory. They concern EPA’s plan to allow more pollution into our air and water.
WOW has not received acknowledgement from DES despite a follow-up call and email on June 30 to Commissioner Scott’s office. Plans to present the letter in person to members of New Hampshire’s Environmental Councils have been thwarted by cancellations of monthly meetings. WOW’s letter is part of a growing backlash against EPA’s misguided plan to repeal regulations and weaken environmental standards.
On Friday the Environmental Business Council of New England, Inc. is holding a leadership Q&A featuring US Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn and NHDES Commissioner Scott. W.O.W. urges our elected officials to attend and to ask questions about EPA’s proposed repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards and the harmful impacts on air and water quality in the region.
“We have an environmental department here in NH that is not doing its job to be responsive to citizen concerns and questions,” states Katie Lajoie, a nurse from Charlestown. “The public should not have to go behind a firewall to get answers to basic questions.” The cost for members of the public to attend Friday morning’s Business Council meeting with state and federal public officials is $160.
“Barriers to public participation represent a complete lack of transparency,” added Lajoie.
WOW is a citizens’ initiative that works to raise awareness about safe alternatives to landfills and incinerators. Its letter to DES reflects ongoing concerns about toxic forever chemicals such as lead, mercury, and PFAS.