N.H. DES, Residents Clash Over C&D Burning

Efforts by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) to redefine demolition debris as fuel rather than solid waste have been stalled by opposition from the governor and residents, according to a report in the New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.).

The issue of redefining C&D debris is the latest development in the controversy over a Hopkinton, N.H., wood burning power plant that has been seeking government permits to burn C&D debris for fuel.

Bio Energy was forced to seek a new permit in November 2004 to allow it to burn C&D debris, a move that has met some resistance from Hopkinton residents, including the group Residents Environmental Action Committee for Health (REACH), according to the report.

The state DES was to offer New Hampshire legislators new rules last week certifying C&D debris as fuel rather than solid waste, the Union Leader reports. However, they withdrew the plan under pressure from the governor.

The DES will revise the plan before a hearing next month, according to the report.