Permit for Waste Incinerator Challenged in Court

Opponents of a hazardous waste incinerator being built in the city of Vernon berated the state Department of Health Services on Thursday for issuing construction permits for the facility without requiring a full environmental impact report.

At a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court, attorneys representing several state politicians, community activists and the city of Los Angeles argued that the state health department gave approval for developers to go ahead with California’s first large-scale commercial hazardous waste incinerator before completing an exhaustive safety study.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kurt J. Lewin gave the state attorney general’s office, which is representing the health department, until Nov. 16 to submit written arguments in the case.

It is not clear who was responsible for ordering the study. The suit alleges that the department was responsible.

Before the hearing, about 150 East Los Angeles residents rallied in front of City Hall to protest the project.

Protester Frank Villalobos, 43, said he is concerned about the possible health hazards that could result if the facility opens.

“By the developer’s own statistics, the chances of becoming sick because of the emissions are one in a million,” he said. “The reason why all these people came out today is because they are afraid they are going to be the one.”