Mayor Urges Compromise Over Storage of Toxic Waste
Reacting to fears about toxic waste in Pico Rivera, Mayor John G. Chavez on Thursday called for a special committee to negotiate a compromise on the storage of hazardous chemicals in the city.
Chavez asked seven community leaders to join him in a dialogue with Southern California Gas Co., which has handled hazardous waste at its Rosemead Boulevard plant for 13 years, and the state Department of Toxic Substances Control, which earlier this week denied local appeals against the utility’s storage permit.
“This is to resolve some of the tension regarding the toxic waste,” the veteran councilman said at City Hall.
He said the committee may seek complete removal of the chemicals, which include highly toxic polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic and mercury. Otherwise, members may try to reduce the amount of waste in temporary storage at the site, he said.
A spokeswoman for the Gas Co. welcomed Chavez’s offer as a chance to educate residents on the plant’s safety. However, she dismissed his hopes for a compromise.
“Quite honestly, we don’t feel we’re in a position to negotiate those kinds of options,” spokeswoman Margaret Pashko said.
A representative for the Department of Toxic Substances Control could not be reached for comment.
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