Commerce : Waste Incinerator Opposed
The Commerce City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose construction of a hazardous waste incinerator in neighboring Vernon because a full environmental impact study has not been performed.
Commerce joined other opponents of the incinerator who argue that a complete environmental impact study should be performed to fully assess potential risks to area residents.
California Thermal Treatment Services wants to build the $29-million incinerator designed to burn more than 20,000 tons of toxic sludges and other hazardous waste each year. The facility would become the second exclusively commercial hazardous waste incinerator in the state and the first in a populated, urban area.
The firm can start construction once it obtains permits from the state Department of Health Services and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has already issued permits for some components of the facility, and officials say a full environmental impact report is unnecessary.
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