LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Northampton County is the latest entity to be granted party status in the legal review process of the proposed expansion of the Bethlehem Landfill.
The status was granted at a Thursday meeting in Lower Saucon Township.
Also at the hearing, landfill owners presented a veteran landfill expert, Joshua G. Roth, who was involved in two previous Bethlehem Landfill expansions.
- Northampton County was granted party status to have a legal standing in the review process of the proposed Bethlehem Landfill expansion
- A landfill expert testified about gas emissions controls on behalf of the landfill
- Hearings resume at 9 a.m. Friday in the Lower Saucon Township municipal building
Hearings on the proposed landfill expansion resume at 9 a.m. Friday in the Lower Saucon Township municipal building, and others are scheduled throughout the month.
Roth testified as to the efficacy of the underground mechanical gas collection system at the landfill.
A gas collection and control system, or GCCS, operates non-stop and directs the gas released from the composing trash to a central point where it can be processed and treated, depending upon the ultimate use for the gas.
The system is designed to increase safety by controlling migration. Buried solid waste in a landfill eventually decomposes by microorganisms and becomes equal parts methane gas and carbon dioxide.
County gets party status
Northampton County joins Bethlehem Township, Easton, Hellertown, St. Luke’s University Health Network-Anderson Campus, environmental and civic organizations, and about 100 residents to have an official role in the legal proceedings of the landfill expansion issue.
To get party status, evidence must be shown applicants have a direct, immediate and substantial interest relative to the landfill expansion. Those receiving party status are permitted to ask questions of witnesses, present evidence, make arguments, and are allowed to participate in an appeal.
Each of those having received party status are opposed to the landfill expansion planned for 117.4 of 275.7 acres at 2335 Applebutter Road in Lower Saucon Township.
On Thursday, Michael Corriere, Northampton County first assistant solicitor, sought party status for the county based in part on the county’s contract with the landfill to guarantee receipt of its trash, potential environmental and residential impact on the community, and the county’s 2014 appropriation of $300,000 to Lower Saucon Township for its purchase of Woodland Hills, a 148-acre tract to be used for open space purposes.
"Northampton County should have a seat at the table when it comes to the proposed landfill expansion."Michael Corriere, assistant solicitor, Northampton County
Corriere also requested party status based on how the proposed landfill expansion may possibly negatively affect the use and profitability of 7.4 acres the county bought in 2017, less than a mile from the landfill.
Twenty-four percent of Northampton County’s trash goes to the Bethlehem Landfill.
Bryan Cope, superintendent of parks and recreation for Northampton County, outlined how the proposed expansion might impact the Natural Heritage Area and environmental issues to Saucon Creek Watershed, Bull Run Creek, Lehigh River-Laubach Island, and the Lehigh Slopes.
Explaining gas collection
Roth is vice president and project director for SCS Engineers in Reston, Virginia. He described the inner workings of the GCCS, a common and major component at most sanitary landfills.
Assisted by a map of the Bethlehem Landfill on a large video screen, Roth described the process. Gas is extracted using a series of pipes, gas wells and a blower/flare (or vacuum) station.
Federal and state regulations are intended to ensure gas emissions meet specific standards to protect residents’ health and the environment, Roth said. Compliance reports are submitted annually to the DEP.
Pennsylvania law requires an expansion of the GCCS system within 30 months of a landfill expansion, Roth said.
Under cross-examination by Atty. Gary Asteak, who represents several of the residents opposing the landfill expansion, Roth said he couldn’t say whether the gas emissions from the proposed landfill would be greater than those from the current landfill, since he hasn’t completed the permit application for the landfill expansion.
Methane and carbon dioxide are odorless and non-toxic. Asteak asked Roth what the source of the repugnant odor reported by residents could be. Roth said they’re typically sulfur compounds.
Roth said later the GCCS system is, in general terms, designed to collect all the landfill gas and is compliant with all DEP regulations.
Under questioning by Attorney Joseph Bubba, who represents St. Luke’s and has party status, Roth said he has not provided services to any individuals or organizations who oppose landfills.
Bubba asked Roth if he was certain there is better available technology to collect and control gas emissions from a landfill than the current system at Bethlehem Landfill.
Roth said he couldn’t speculate either way.
