By Peter Burling and Rep. Andrew Bouldin
We are nearing another Earth Day. This is a great time to reflect on how we individually, and collectively, work to protect the planet’s natural resources and the health and well-being of its inhabitants. Environmental protections are a core belief of the Democratic Party. New Hampshire Democrats have taken great pride in ensuring clean air, clean water, and healthy soils.
Despite the campaign promises and lip service on the website, NH Senate Democrats are poised for this week’s defeat of a bipartisan environment protection measure. HB1454 is a simple legislation that replaces the 200 ft arbitrary setback requirement for states with a science-based calculation on how close a landfill should be placed next to a body. HB 1454 is similar to other states. It would ensure that new landfills are not too close to a body of groundwater for at least five consecutive years. This would allow communities to map and divert the contamination and give them a fighting chance.
For decades, the NH Department of Environmental Services has used an unprotective and archaic landfill siting setback. A landfill could be placed a little more that half a football pitch from the Merrimack River or Lake Winnipesaukee.
Despite the fact that landfills can produce more toxic leachate than any other type of landfill, this close proximity is not a sign of their inability to produce enough.
When did Democrats start to reject science-based findings?
New Hampshire’s waste operations continue to import more trash form Massachusetts. Massachusetts now accounts almost half of all trash disposed in our state. There are whispers around the State House about corporate threats to increase prices due to capacity issues if this simple law on environmental protection is passed. These desperate scare tactics, repeatedly refuted in expert testimony, have gained some traction with some members the Democratic party. We must be clear: requiring landfills be placed sensibly will not have any impact on the price, supply, or demand for trash disposal.
HB 1454 does not prohibit landfills from ever being built. It is about preventing poor landfills from being built too close to your favorite recreational spot or your town’s drinking water supply. Terrible sites in soil that is so porous that a water source or lake can be polluted within weeks of a leaking or mishap are in the minority. However, without proper criteria they will become the norm.
The House Environment Committee passed HB 1454 with bipartisan support and was passed by the full House by a voice vote. Despite having been supported by several key Senate Republicans, HB 1454 will now be killed in the NH Senate. This is unless the party for the environment sticks together and works towards the Earth Day ideals that they all believe in.
Environmental voters expect thoughtful votes. Keeping millions of gallons toxic leachate out NHs lakes, rivers, and streams should be the easiest environmental vote a Democrat could ever make.
Don’t say you support environmental protections on social media. Show us that science and protections are important to you during the Senate session this Thursday. Your colleagues from both sides are leading the charge; it’s time to follow.
From 1988-1994, Peter Burling of Cornish represented the state. From 1996-2004, he served as Democratic Leader of the House before moving to the Senate. He was also chair of the Rail Transit Authority and the Business Finance Authority. He is still a Democratic leader in the State, raising funds to support the election of Democrats.
Andrew Bouldin, Manchester, is a Democratic State Representative for Hillsborough – District 12. He serves on the House Environment and Agriculture panel.
