NRCM statement about Fiberight Application
“We are extremely disappointed in Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s handling of the Fiberight application” said Sarah Lakeman, Sustainable Maine Project Director for NRCM. “There are powerful grounds for an appeal of these licenses.”
NRCM, the Environment and Natural Resource Committee of the Legislature, engineers, attorneys, Maine citizens and others contend that the facility fails to align with the State’s Solid Waste Management Hierarchy licensing criteria, and there is incomplete and troubling information regarding the technical and financial ability of the applicants.
“DEP’s disregard of the compelling grounds for rejection of the solid waste license is deeply troubling,” said Lakeman. “In addition to our bewilderment of DEP’s decision, we find it inappropriate and unprecedented that DEP would congratulate the applicant multiple times in their cover letter. That is not the role of a regulating agency.
“Maine towns still grappling with whether to sign on with MRC/Fiberight should not be persuaded by the approval of these licenses. Signing on with this facility is not in the best interest of Maine towns and would take Maine in the wrong direction on waste. We urge towns to read through all of the commentary on the draft licenses.”
