County Commissioners Say They Trust DEP With Elcon Process

Directed by public comment and discussion, the Bucks County Commissioners voiced their opinions on the proposed hazardous waste treatment facility that could be built in Falls Township.

While community members and those from POWA (Protect Our Water and Air) stressed their dismay and concerns of the project to the board and others in the audience, the commissioners said taking action against the facility would be “premature.”

According to Commissioner Chairman Robert Loughery, the board met with members of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in the last week or so, they held the meeting to hear directly from the agency their standpoints on the Elcon facility and the DEP process in approving applications.

“We are tracking this we’re very sensitive to it,” said Loughrey. “We are gathering info and gathering all the data, so it is certainly front and center on our radar. I think the points that were made here were good points, and we’re watching this.”

Vice Chairman Charley Martin said while he’s very sympathetic to concerns raise by the public, he’s been nothing but impressed with DEP officials and their thorough process in approving or denying applications.

“I’m not opposed to the county taking a stand on it, it’s just a little premature,” said Martin.

Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia noted she agrees with Martin, and that there’s nothing really for the county to take a stand on, since a Phase II application has yet to be sent it by Elcon officials.

Marseglia noted that it’s important that all involved stay true to the facts on the issue. “Sometimes the information you’re giving isn’t valid,” she said in response to public comment on the facility. “Someone said its near a park, its not near a park, its not near a school. If we want to make a statement, we can, but I put my faith and trust in what the DEP said.”

Community members noted that while Elcon said their Phase II process has been delayed, applications could be submitted as early as late April. Noting the delay in the process may be because of extreme public concern.