Bill to Allow Green Waste Incinerators Held as Senators Call for More Public Input

A proposal that would allow the V.I. Waste Management Authority to use air curtain incinerators to dispose of green waste drew support from agencies dealing with fires, landfill pressure, and emergency management, but senators ultimately held the measure Tuesday after concerns surfaced over public engagement, environmental safeguards, and how the technology would be implemented.

Bill 36-0232, sponsored by Senator Clifford Joseph, divided lawmakers during committee debate. Senators Alma Francis Heyliger, Carla Joseph, and Ray Fonseca called for public engagement before approving the request, while others, including Senator Kenneth Gittens, said the use of incinerators represented “moving in the right direction.”

Senator Joseph, who previously served as director of the Fire Service, said the use of incinerators and the burning of green waste had been disallowed after the 2017 hurricanes, largely because of uncertainty about the environmental effects. He told lawmakers that newer technology has now practically eliminated harmful emissions during the incineration process.

“Properly managing debris reduction is essential so that our landfills do not continue to be a source for potential fires,” Senator Joseph declared. He argued that, when properly operated, “controlled incineration can be an effective and responsible component of not only of waste management authority, but [also] our emergency preparedness.”