KSC Professor and State Rep. Dr. Nick Germana was interviewed by the Keene Sentinel recently on some N.H. House bills he is sponsoring regarding landfills.
These bills would restrict the amount of out-of-state waste being brought to N.H. and alter permitting policy for new landfills.
I think it is wonderful that the House is looking at these bills. We should not be looking at ruining or polluting anymore than we already have. Especially, polluting our state with other states’ trash, another issue which is targeted by these bills.
Germana had stated concern about “PFAS chemicals.” A concern I think most if not all New Hampshirites would hold. These PFAS “forever chemicals” have been a growing problem with water pollution in America. Even close to home it has the potential to be an issue.
As the Sentinel mentions, trash in Keene is transported to Rochester, N.H. The landfill in Rochester is surrounded by the Cocheco and Isinglass rivers, which flow and supply the groundwater which the city of Dover, N.H., drinks. I do not know about anyone else but I think drinking water that was probably in a pile of garbage earlier that week does not sound too tasty.
I am very interested in these landfill bills. Landfills are certainly not anything the state should be interested in expanding or the sale of private landfill permits. The state should not be up for sale to the highest bidder just to fill it with garbage and taint our water. Our beautiful state does not deserve to be the local dumping ground for other states.
However, I would hope for something a little more expansive. Potentially a mandatory composting and/or recycling bill like they do in Vermont and Montreal. Having visited Montreal, I find their waste policies very efficient and effective.
Recycling and composting is very streamlined and easy to follow and N.H. has the potential for something similar. It would also open up more business opportunities that would be environmentally friendly, a win-win for everyone.
I am glad there is some decent news and glad there is some positive action being taken by the government. Hopefully in the future, greater steps can be taken and possibly eliminate landfills altogether.
Until then stay cool, limit your garbage footprint, and do not trust the tap water because that flavor may not be minerals.
Timothy Fitzpatrick can be contacted at
tfitzpatrick@kscequinox.com
