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> Ban Burn Barrels
Toxics:
Ban Burn Barrels
Our Position: support
Bill Number: A3073
Sponsor: Assembly Member Koon
Legislative Session: 2006
This is a bill to ban the dangerous and toxic outdoor burning of garbage and other solid waste.
Status
Action Needed
Please call or write your State Senator in support of this bill. To identify your State Senator and his/her contact info, click here.
More information
Contact our legislative office.
Contact
Legislative Office, 518-426-9144. Or, contact John Stouffer, Legislative Director, john.stouffer@sierraclub.org
Background
Memorandum of Support
In Assembly 3073 by Assemblyman Koon
Title: An Act to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to the open burning of solid waste.
Provisions:
A.3073 proposes to ban the open burning of solid waste. In towns with populations less than 20,000 land clearing debris, yard waste and agricultural wastes – defined as natural fiber products – would be exempt from the ban. Parties that violate the ban would be warned on a first offense, fined $75 on conviction of a second violation and then $250 for conviction of any subsequent violations. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is directed to develop educational materials on the hazards posed by open burning of solid waste.
Statement of Support:
The uncontrolled open burning of solid waste releases large amounts of toxic substances into the environment. A recent report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that burning between 3 and 11 pounds of household waste in a burn barrel released same amount of certain hazardous substances as burning 200 tons of solid waste in an incinerator with modern emission controls. Surprisingly, burn barrels have been identified by EPA as the single largest source of dioxin emissions. Since burn barrels release hazardous emissions at ground level the emissions do not disperse widely. Consequently concentrations of hazardous substances are deposited in close proximity to the burn barrel. This means that the parties who practice this hazardous activity put the health of their families and that of their neighbors in great jeopardy. All Northeastern states but New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have statewide have banned open burning of solid waste. It is extremely irresponsible of New York State government to allow this highly hazardous activity to continue unchecked. Sierra Club strongly supports the passage of this bill.
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