MUNCY - Turning waste and sludge into energy seems to be a hot topic in Muncy right now, and rightfully so. Residents filled the Muncy High School auditorium on Tuesday night, October 11th wondering 'why Muncy?' Muncy Borough Council held the meeting there due to a large number of residents who wanted to express their concerns over the proposed waste to energy plant that is seeking permits to build in the former Andritz Sprout building located on Sherman Street in the borough of Muncy. Crystal Millard, one of the main organizers of 'Stop Muncy Burn' announced to the borough intentions of enacting a new Clean Air Ordinance. Consensus to the board agreed that the process to have something like this come to small rural Muncy, should be a difficult one. After a brief meeting discussing the county's comprehensive plan for downtown revitalization, a regional zoning plan for future land use, emergency preparedness, and three days spent cleaning debris from storm damage, residents were able to speak their thoughts for the next hour about the waste incinerator being considered through Delta Thermo Energy a newly formed company that is trying to locate here. Those protesting the proposal are seeking a lawyer, Mike Ewall from Energy Justice Network who specializes in industrial waste, to act on their behalf to keep the company from building such a plant in a flood zone and in close proximity to the schools. Melissa Schell from Muncy said her research on Delta Thermo shows some false claims regarding their technology in commercial operations. "We want honesty," she said. Kathy Stauffer who has lived in the borough for 33 years asked, "If this facility is so far advanced as they claim, then why aren't there more like this in the United States?" Only one has been built, and that is in Japan. Sharon Greene who lives on Pepper Street thanked the borough for allowing the opportunity to listen and expressed her concern on the safety of this. "I am concerned as a parent and want to keep our families safe. What are the long term effects? How are they going to be accountable? I am not OK with this," she added. "Is council prepared for any impending lawsuits for children who become sick?" Frank Herr who is employed in the borough and knows the flood plain well asked, "How can you insure this building is going to be flood proof? Where is all this garbage going to go?" Students also came to the meeting and requested answers. "Why do they want to build this plant here in our small town of Muncy?" Joanie Johnson who has a business in the borough nearby on S. Main Street asked, "Why would Muncy want to be a guinea pig for experimental technology?" which brought a loud round of applause. The borough's solicitor, Christopher Kenyon responded that a zoning application has been filed and is under consideration, although not complete. He said the borough has to remain neutral for the moment and assured the residents that a conditional use hearing has not been set. This must be filed within 60 days of a completed application. Council member Karen Richards said, "A solicitor who specializes in zoning issues can advise us and set conditions that have to be met to seek a plan." So far no personal contact has been made from Delta Thermo or from Jason Weiz, owner of the building, According to John Shaw who lives on Sherman Street and has been following this since July, the company tried to build a plant like this in Allentown, but the contract got cancelled due to a "misrepresentation." "There is no training here for jobs like this," he added. "And no guarantee jobs will come from this. They could bring their own people." Another good point that drew much applause was raised by George Henry, a former teacher at Muncy. "If Muncy passed a burner ban law, then why pass this?" he asked the borough. Other comments came about the toxins, poisons, changes in temperatures, and a devalue in homes. "We don't want this!" John DeWald told the board. The board concluded by voting to create a municipal zoning committee. Zoning ordinances need to be updated on a regular basis. "We have to follow the zoning ordinance that is in place now," Kenyon said. "We need to make it as uncomfortable as possible for Delta to come here," said resident Laura Miller. "Truck traffic is another concern. We have to think of ways to stop this, but don't want to keep out other things that we do want." Selinda Kennedy said, "Waste to energy for profit encourages more waste." Mary Harmon from Muncy Creek Township agreed. "All communities in Lycoming County are going to be affected by this." Karen Richards, council member replied, "We may have to spend the money to look outside of this area to find someone who specializes in zoning issues."

MUNCY – Turning waste and sludge into energy seems to be a hot topic in Muncy right now, and rightfully so. Residents filled the Muncy High School auditorium on Tuesday night, October 11th wondering ‘why Muncy?’

Muncy Borough Council held the meeting there due to a large number of residents who wanted to express their concerns over the proposed waste to energy plant that is seeking permits to build in the former Andritz Sprout building located on Sherman Street in the borough of Muncy.

Crystal Millard, one of the main organizers of ‘Stop Muncy Burn’ announced to the borough intentions of enacting a new Clean Air Ordinance. Consensus to the board agreed that the process to have something like this come to small rural Muncy, should be a difficult one.

After a brief meeting discussing the county’s comprehensive plan for downtown revitalization, a regional zoning plan for future land use, emergency preparedness, and three days spent cleaning debris from storm damage, residents were able to speak their thoughts for the next hour about the waste incinerator being considered through Delta Thermo Energy a newly formed company that is trying to locate here.

Those protesting the proposal are seeking a lawyer, Mike Ewall from Energy Justice Network who specializes in industrial waste, to act on their behalf to keep the company from building such a plant in a flood zone and in close proximity to the schools.

BARB BARRETT/The Luminary Over 200 residents came to express their concerns to the Muncy Borough on Tuesday night, October 11 about the proposed waste to energy plant. Left to right board members: Linda Stein, Karen Richards, and solicitor Christopher Kenyon.

Melissa Schell from Muncy said her research on Delta Thermo shows some false claims regarding their technology in commercial operations. “We want honesty,” she said.

Kathy Stauffer who has lived in the borough for 33 years asked, “If this facility is so far advanced as they claim, then why aren’t there more like this in the United States?” Only one has been built, and that is in Japan.

Sharon Greene who lives on Pepper Street thanked the borough for allowing the opportunity to listen and expressed her concern on the safety of this. “I am concerned as a parent and want to keep our families safe. What are the long term effects? How are they going to be accountable? I am not OK with this,” she added. “Is council prepared for any impending lawsuits for children who become sick?”

Frank Herr who is employed in the borough and knows the flood plain well asked, “How can you insure this building is going to be flood proof? Where is all this garbage going to go?”

Students also came to the meeting and requested answers. “Why do they want to build this plant here in our small town of Muncy?”

Joanie Johnson who has a business in the borough nearby on S. Main Street asked, “Why would Muncy want to be a guinea pig for experimental technology?” which brought a loud round of applause.

The borough’s solicitor, Christopher Kenyon responded that a zoning application has been filed and is under consideration, although not complete. He said the borough has to remain neutral for the moment and assured the residents that a conditional use hearing has not been set. This must be filed within 60 days of a completed application.

Council member Karen Richards said, “A solicitor who specializes in zoning issues can advise us and set conditions that have to be met to seek a plan.”

So far no personal contact has been made from Delta Thermo or from Jason Weiz, owner of the building,

According to John Shaw who lives on Sherman Street and has been following this since July, the company tried to build a plant like this in Allentown, but the contract got cancelled due to a “misrepresentation.” “There is no training here for jobs like this,” he added. “And no guarantee jobs will come from this. They could bring their own people.”

Another good point that drew much applause was raised by George Henry, a former teacher at Muncy. “If Muncy passed a burner ban law, then why pass this?” he asked the borough.

Other comments came about the toxins, poisons, changes in temperatures, and a devalue in homes. “We don’t want this!” John DeWald told the board.

The board concluded by voting to create a municipal zoning committee. Zoning ordinances need to be updated on a regular basis. “We have to follow the zoning ordinance that is in place now,” Kenyon said.

“We need to make it as uncomfortable as possible for Delta to come here,” said resident Laura Miller. “Truck traffic is another concern. We have to think of ways to stop this, but don’t want to keep out other things that we do want.”

Selinda Kennedy said, “Waste to energy for profit encourages more waste.”

Mary Harmon from Muncy Creek Township agreed. “All communities in Lycoming County are going to be affected by this.”

Karen Richards, council member replied, “We may have to spend the money to look outside of this area to find someone who specializes in zoning issues.”