A powerful, appreciated and potent letter in the Scranton Times today from DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. If the actions of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection are to match her words, we believe the only way to eliminate odors, provide clean air and protect the health of our citizens from chronic exposure to air-borne contaminants is to reverse the DEP's approval of KSL's almost 50 year expansion.
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Let’s Clear the Air: DEP’s Commitment to Tackling Odors at Keystone Landfill
BY JESSICA SHIRLEY INTERIM ACTING SECRETARY,
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Over the past several months, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has responded to hundreds of community complaints regarding the Keystone Sanitary Landfill. As the interim acting secretary of the DEP, I want residents to know that we hear you, and I share your concerns about the odors emanating from the Keystone Sanitary Landfill.
You have a right to enjoy fresh air outside your home. It is absolutely unacceptable for any Pennsylvanian to smell putrid odors in their backyards. We are listening closely to the community, and I want you to know exactly how we are taking action.
The Department of Environmental Protection is actively addressing more than 300 complaints about off-site odors from the Keystone Sanitary Landfill. DEP staff are working around the clock, monitoring the landfill with inspectors who conduct odor patrols on weekdays, early mornings, evenings and weekends. These dedicated men and women are investigating complaints as quickly as possible.
DEP is working vigorously to identify the sources of these odors, and I can assure you that corrective actions will be taken. During routine unannounced inspections, DEP staff identified one source of the odors — an area included in the landfill’s Settlement Accommodation Plan (SAP). Under the SAP, the landfill was allowed to remove final capping and place additional waste. DEP determined this operation was a contributing factor to the off-site odors. On November 21, DEP ordered the landfill to suspend all SAP operations.
Despite the suspension, odors continued to come from the landfill. After dozens of DEP after-hour odor patrols, evaluating the landfill’s enhanced surface monitoring records, and thoroughly inspecting the facility, the department found that KSL failed to keep a uniform intermediate (temporary) cover over garbage at the landfill. This action would have aided in the prevention of odors. The fact that this preventative action was not taken by KSL is unacceptable.
As a result, on December 13, the DEP took action. We issued a Notice of Violation to KSL for failure to control odors. After detailed investigations, we have determined that KSL was in violation of the Solid Waste Management Act, the Municipal Waste Management Rules and Regulations and the facility’s existing permit. KSL has 30 days since receiving the violation to submit a proposed plan that corrects and prevents this violation.
I would like to personally thank all the residents who have been calling DEP and reporting odors. The more complaints that are filed, the better DEP employees are able to understand the scope of the problem. Your reports give us clues that we can use to track down the sources of these odors at the landfill. That is why we encourage you to continue to call us with odor complaints. You are an invaluable asset in finding a solution.
The men and women of DEP are working tirelessly to source the origin of these odors and have them promptly addressed. We also recognize that there is a process to correcting these deficiencies, and that process does take time to complete. However, rest assured, we will remain responsive to your needs, increasing our monitoring and enforcement accordingly.
Our dedicated staff will continue to work around the clock to address each complaint. Currently, DEP staff members are responding to every call within minutes. Therefore, I am urging the public to keep calling our complaint line and make a report if they are experiencing nuisance odors from the landfill. Odor complaints may be reported to
570-826-2511
, 24 hours a day. As a reminder, do not hang up when you hear the automated message. You will be connected with an operator who will assist you in filing a complaint.
Residents can also file an online complaint at: https://greenport.pa.gov/obPu.../EnvironmentalComplaintForm/
As a mother, I understand the importance of our children being able to play outside and enjoy fresh air. As a resident of this great commonwealth, I too understand the desire to enjoy living in your home, unencumbered, not surrounded by repulsive smells. And as your secretary, I understand the necessity to respond swiftly to issues that impact the quality of life for you, and for all Pennsylvanians. Our agency, under the Shapiro administration, will continue to work to restore a sense of normalcy to your beloved community.
On behalf of the Shapiro administration and DEP, I am committed to holding KSL, and any facility we regulate, accountable for violations left unfixed. DEP will also continue to work with your local and state elected officials who have raised similar concerns. Dunmore, thank you for your continued resilience and watchful eye in the community. Your advocacy matters.