MNA RN Speaks Out on Community Health Issue

MTN/Channel 16 is broadcasting a 30 minute program of State Representative Frank Hornstein being interviewed by Lara Norkus-Crampton, RN regarding the capacity increase proposed for the Downtown Garbage Burner (the HERC) by Covanta and Hennepin County.

Don’t have cable?  Livestream @ http://www.livestream.com/mtnstudios16.

(There may be some initial commercial interruption so log in a few minutes before the start of the scheduled time.)

Representative Hornstein has been a staunch opponent to garbage incineration for many years and has played an important role in fighting this increase in the HERC burning capacity from 1000 tons per day to burning 1200 tons of mixed garbage per day.

Lara served on the Planning Commission when the permit for this increase was denied in 2009.  Covanta appealed this decision to the City Council but has not provided the data needed to challenge the decision of the Planning Commission.  This proposal is now being reviewed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to determine if a full Environmental Impact Study should be required.  The City Council has the final say in the Appeal.

Many Questions Remain Unanswered
Why are we burning recyclables?  Why are we burning garbage from outside of Minneapolis?  What is coming out of those stacks anyway?  Why have we been living with a garbage burner belching toxic emissions in the middle of Downtown Minneapolis for the past 25 years?  What is the effect on the public health of our citizens–especially our children?  Is there a better way to manage our solid waste?  These are some of the questions they try to answer.

Please pass on to anyone who might be interested in learning more about the environmental and public effects of the HERC Garbage Burner and why increasing the capacity is a very bad idea.

The next viewing dates are:

  • Thursday, February 02, 2012 @ 10:00 PM
  • Monday, February 06, 2012 @ 8:00 PM
  • Friday, February 17, 2012 @ 10:00