Residents and Sierra Club warn Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority about waste-to-energy plant amid EPA rulemaking

Residents and environmental advocates used the Solid Waste Authority meeting to press elected officials about emissions and public health concerns at the county’s waste-to-energy plant. At the matters-by-the-public portion, an attendee said the facility had been described for years as ‘the cleanest’ but now ‘‘we were sold a bill of goods,’’ and urged commissioners to protect public health and allow full public comment.

Why it matters: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new emission limits for large municipal solid waste combustors. Drew Martin, speaking on behalf of the Sierra Club, said he opposed the county’s waste-to-energy plan and that media reporting and EPA scientists had raised doubts about whether the plant’s controls capture all pollution. He said the county should reduce waste-burning and do more to curb single-use plastics and increase recycling.

Staff response and next steps: Mister Polowitz told the board the Solid Waste Authority submitted a formal comment letter to EPA in response to the proposed rule changes and had shared the letter with commissioners’ offices. He said other organizations — including the Waste Energy Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties — and a coalition of about 17 attorneys general also submitted comments. Polowitz said the authority ‘‘wholly supports real, meaningful emissions limits…that protect public health’’ and that EPA has 90 days to respond to submitted comments.

What was said: A public commenter described the plant as a ‘‘new source of pollution’’ and said she saw ‘‘malfeasance’’ and ‘‘collusion’’ in past decisions. Drew Martin of the Sierra Club said he had been removed from an advisory board after voting against the project and that ‘‘if I have to trust one side, I’m going to trust the scientists from the EPA.’’ Polowitz acknowledged capacity and compliance concerns and invited further engagement with the county’s delegation to elevate the issue.

Context and limits: The discussion occurred during the public-comment and old-business portions of the meeting; there was no formal vote on the plant or on an explicit policy change. Staff described outreach already under way and said the authority is monitoring the EPA rulemaking and coordinating with elected representatives. The authority also reiterated that, where debris is shipped out of county to Broward County facilities, those facilities must meet environmental requirements and recycling thresholds.

What’s next: Staff said they would continue to track EPA’s rulemaking and contact the county’s legislative delegation to press the county’s concerns. No board action to change county policy or the plant’s operations was recorded during the meeting.