admin posted on April 07, 2010 12:01
The Town of Matthews has officially asked the Mecklenburg County Air Quality Division to require Biomedical Waste, Inc. to adhere to the new federal air quality standards within three years instead of the proposed five years. The company is currently up for renewal of their Clean Air Title V Permit. Town officials have spoken at the public hearing on the permit renewal as well as submitted written remarks. A written public comment period on the matter ends today.
The Bio Medical Waste Facility is in compliance with all local, state, and federal air quality regulations according to Don Willard, Mecklenburg County Air Quality Division. These regulations include operating procedures and emissions.
Additionally, the Town has asked the state to do an updated study on the air in the vicinity of the facility. A study was done in May 1999 by Dr. James R. Bowyer with the NCDENR to determine if any toxic air pollutants were being released by Bio Medical Waste. The study found that there were no pollutants or toxins that “….represented the need for an increased level of concern.” Any pollutants found were felt to be of the level that would be found anywhere in a metropolitan area such as Charlotte. No link to cancer was found during the study according to Keith Snavely with NC DENR.
“The Town has the expectation that all companies doing business here are good stewards of our environment. There are two distinct issues that garner attention at the site – compliance with air quality standards and cleanup of the soil at the site. We have and are working with the County, EPA and State to ensure they are regulating the site appropriately,” said Matthews Mayor Jim Taylor. “We believe that the firm should be able to comply with the new federal regulations within three years without significant hardship. This will demonstrate their commitment to our environment thru best practices as outlined by the EPA.”
Mecklenburg County is expected to render their decision on the renewal of the permit within 45 days.
Letter to State Requesting Study
Letter to County Regarding Permit Renewal