<\/div>\nThis Wednesday (February 6), the <\/span><\/p>\n The complaint is based on a federal statute known as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA. <\/span>Passed by Congress in 1976, the law regulates disposal of solid and hazardous waste. <\/span>The letter introduces the term “diesel particulate hazardous waste” to make the point that port diesel emissions contain elements, especially metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic and nickel, that are listed in the RCRA regulations on hazardous waste.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n If you’ll bear with me through a few technical musings: <\/span>I have some familiarity with RCRA because I used to audit facilities for compliance with the regulations – both hazardous waste generators, and hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities (as they’re called under the law). <\/span>I’m not certain the argument made by the two environmental groups in their letter is actually supported by this law. <\/span>Specifically, I’m not sure the emissions from burning fuel can be considered a “waste” – either solid or hazardous. <\/span>I believe the <\/span><\/p>\n However, I’m not an attorney or a RCRA expert, and doubtless it is these people who will be analyzing the letter and developing a response, or, if the environmental groups have their way, arguing these matters in a trial. <\/span>The letter concludes by saying the groups will seek “injunctive relief to end the imminent and substantial endangerment of public health” – which sounds to me like they want the emissions to stop if there’s no action to their liking within 90 days.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Why did the <\/span><\/p>\n I’ll conclude by expressing my dismay over this turn of events. <\/span>It’s both a surprise – to me and to <\/span><\/p>\n What’s the alternative? <\/span>I’m hoping that environmental and community groups can find common ground with ports and industry through a vision of a future system where technology helps move freight securely, quickly, and with minimal community impact. <\/span>This system might indeed lie several years in the future, but with a shared vision, we can work step by step to achieve it.<\/span><\/p>\n
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