Cambio Rejects DRNA Proposal for Solid Waste Incineration Plants
The environmental group criticized the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources for proposing waste-to-energy facilities instead of enforcing existing reduction, reuse and recycling policies under Law 70.
File photoThe short version
- Cambio rejects the DRNA proposal to build several solid waste incineration plants according to Sin Comillas
- Ingrid Vila Biaggi says the proposal turns the government's failure to implement reduction and recycling policy into justification for incineration Sin Comillas reported
- Vila Biaggi states the secretary cannot blame the public for recycling's failure when the agency is responsible for education, coordination and enforcement NotiCel reported
- Cambio notes that over 1,400 megawatts of rooftop solar have been installed exceeding the 30-40 megawatts the proposed incinerators would generate according to NotiCel
Criticism of the Proposal
Cambio, a nongovernmental organization that promotes environmental protection, has rejected a proposal by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) to construct several plants for the incineration of solid waste. Sin Comillas reported that Ingrid M. Vila Biaggi, president of Cambio, denounced the proposal as an attempt to use the administration's lack of capacity to implement existing reduction, reuse and recycling policy as justification for incineration instead of addressing root causes.
Vila Biaggi stated that it is unacceptable for the secretary of Natural Resources to blame the public for the failure of recycling when the agency has the legal responsibility to promote it, develop educational programs, coordinate with municipalities and enforce public policy. She added that one cannot abandon a governmental obligation and then use the results of that abandonment as an argument to justify incineration of waste. NotiCel reported that the incineration proposal was made by DRNA Secretary Waldemar Quiles.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Es inaceptable que el secretario de Recursos Naturales culpe al pueblo por el fracaso del reciclaje cuando su propia agencia tiene la responsabilidad legal de promoverlo
Our translation: It is unacceptable that the secretary of Natural Resources blames the people for the failure of recycling when his own agency has the legal responsibility to promote it
The source's own statement, as quoted by Sin Comillas. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Legal and Policy Obligations
Law 70 of 1992, as amended, establishes as public policy the reduction and recycling of solid waste and assigns the government specific responsibilities to develop and implement programs that reduce the amount of waste requiring final disposal. These include coordinating with municipalities, promoting necessary infrastructure and developing educational programs to encourage citizen participation. The law also sets obligations for municipal recycling plans. Sin Comillas reported
Vila Biaggi asked where the comprehensive citizen education program is, where effective oversight of municipal plans is, and where measurable goals, accessible infrastructure and mechanisms to recover materials are. She said that before claiming people do not want to reuse or recycle, the secretary must explain what has been done to make reduction, reuse and recycling real and accessible options in all municipalities. Both outlets quoted her statements on these points.
Environmental and Energy Concerns
Cambio stated that incineration negatively affects health and the environment and does not eliminate the need for responsible waste disposal. It destroys materials that could be recovered, such as paper, cardboard, metals, glass and certain plastics, converting them into emissions and toxic ash that also require management. Organic matter can be used through composting. The group said betting on incinerators creates a perverse dependence on a constant flow of materials when the goal should be to generate less waste and recover more. NotiCel reported
The organization warned that the argument for incinerating waste to generate electricity should not be used as justification given advances in distributed renewable energy with storage. The secretary estimated the proposed incinerators could contribute between 30 and 40 megawatts. Puerto Rico already has more than 1,400 megawatts of rooftop solar photovoltaic capacity installed, most with storage. Cambio said this capacity is more than 35 times the estimated generation from the incinerators. Sin Comillas reported
Where the sources differ
Both Sin Comillas and NotiCel report that Cambio and its president Ingrid Vila Biaggi reject a DRNA proposal for solid waste incineration plants and criticize Secretary Waldemar Quiles for blaming the public instead of fulfilling the agency's responsibilities under Law 70 of 1992. The sources agree on the quotes from Vila Biaggi, the existence of Law 70, the comparison of 1,400 megawatts of rooftop solar to the 30-40 megawatts from proposed incinerators, and the environmental arguments against incineration. NotiCel adds details on health and environmental impacts and recoverable materials while Sin Comillas includes more on potential contractors and past projects such as Luma and Genera. Both sources are consistent on the core facts and criticisms.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state what specific actions the DRNA or Secretary Quiles have taken or failed to take on education programs, municipal oversight or infrastructure. They do not provide details on the proposed incineration plants including locations, number of facilities, timelines, companies involved, contract terms or who would bear the costs. The articles do not mention any response from the DRNA or the secretary to Cambio's criticisms.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Rechazan propuesta para incinerar residuos sólidos
- Reporting Rechazan propuesta para incinerar residuos sólidos
- Reporting Rechazan propuesta de incinerar residuos sólidos y abandonar el reciclaje por parte del Gobierno
How we checked this
Sin Comillas and NotiCel both based their coverage on statements from Cambio and its president Ingrid Vila Biaggi. The comparison of solar capacity to potential incinerator output and the references to Law 70 rest on both reports while details on toxic ash and economic opportunities from recycling appear only in NotiCel.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.