Senator Introduces Bill To Limit Waste Processing Near Residential Neighborhoods

State Sen. Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence, Pawtucket) has filed a bill that is aimed at addressing problems some Rumford residents have had with a waste processing company near their neighborhood. 

The proposed legislation would prevent any debris processing facility from processing more than 150 tons of waste per day if the facility is located near a residential neighborhood. 

Some Rumford residents have opposed the pending request of TLA/Pond View to expand from processing 500 tons of waste per day to 1,500 tons. East Providence and the Attorney General's office currently have a lawsuit pending against the company and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management over the issue. 

Da Ponte's bill would mean that the company would have to go back to processing the amount it was originally permitted to process per day: 150 tons. 

“It’s obvious now that TLA/Pond View’s previous expansion from 150 tons to 500 tons of waste per day should never have happened, and the current plans to expand operations three-fold are being challenged by the Attorney General’s office," Da Ponte said in a news release. "In order to continue operating in Rumford, serious and critical changes must be made to TLA’s existing facility and operations.” 

Some people who live in the area have long complained of odor, noise and dust from the facility, which they say is causing health problems for residents. 

“This is a quality of life issue, and for those who live in the area surrounding TLA/Pond View, their quality of life has certainly been negatively affected due to TLA’s presence and practices,” Da Ponte said in the release. “No one is looking to drive TLA out of business, but there are serious issues present, most notably a rising trend of respiratory problems within the neighborhood. In order for TLA/Pond View to continue operating here, all of the health and environmental problems within the surrounding area must be fixed.”

The City Council is also scheduled to consider tonight asking the EPA for assistance in the matter as well.