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Clinton is at Risk

We are supporting the proactive initiative in Clinton to ban fracking waste from being treated, stored, disposed of, transferred, or used in Clinton. This chemically infused and potentially radioactive toxic sludge is a hazard to the fragile ecosystem upon which Clinton is built. We need to join the other shoreline towns that have created an ordinance banning this material.

Clinton is at risk of this dumping happening in our town. Billions of gallons of waste have been produced and are a short haul up I-95 or I-84 to Connecticut. States like New York and Pennsylvania could make Connecticut a potential site for treating and disposing fracking waste if economic and regulatory conditions make it economically feasible.

The state does not have a law against this, so it is a regulatory opportunity. The economic rewards of handling this material are significant. In light of this regulatory vacuum, each town must enact ordinances to prevent them from becoming toxic dumping grounds. I encourage the citizens of Clinton to enact the same protections that our neighbors in Guilford, Madison, and the other 41 Connecticut towns have enacted.

Keep in mind that this waste is not regulated and is often classified as “sludge or residue” and can potentially end up in the municipal waste system. Hmmm, I believe that the waste disposal facility proposed for an area of sensitive wetlands is permitted for “sludge, residue, and municipal waste.”

We encourage everyone to attend the town meeting to be held on Monday, May 7 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, where we can vote to support the ban and keep our town from being the dumping ground with a water view. We must bring our friends and neighbors and show our support for the ban.

Bill and Marilyn Kirwin

Clinton