Politics & Government

Bensalem Opposes Industrial Waste Incinerator

Township officials say the project, which is proposed for three miles outside of Bensalem's municipal borders, 'will be of a hazardous and dangerous nature.'

Citing its proximity to a township school and impact on a waterfront redevelopment plan, the Bensalem Township Council formally opposed a proposed industrial waste incinerator in neighboring Bristol Township.

The governing body approved a four-page resolution during its meeting Monday night detailing why it does not support the potential addition of an industrial waste incinerator at the Bridge Business Center, which is situated less than three miles from the Bensalem border and within four miles of an elementary school. 

"The incinerator will emit into the air ash and other byproducts and chemical byproducts that are the result of the incineration of the aforementioned industrial waste materials," the resolution reads, further noting that the, "emissions will be of a hazardous and dangerous nature."

Bensalem, Bristol Township and Burlington, N.J. residents turned out at the Bristol Township zoning hearing board earlier this month to protest Route 13 Bristol Partners' plan, which involves the construction of a hazardous waste incinerating facility with two smoke stacks at the industrial park which also houses a former Rohm & Haas plant now managed by Dow Chemical.

Bensalem Township officials also took issue with the proposed location of the facility. The so-called Bucks County Waterfront Redevelopment Plan–which Bensalem, Bristol, Tullytown and Bristol Township, along with Bucks County and the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County adopted about 10 years ago–calls for "high-quality" space for office, flex, commercial and residential development, according to the resolution.

In addition, the redevelopment plan would "create a significant gateway feature to create an attractive entrance into Bristol Township from the Burlington-Bristol Bridge."

"The township of Bensalem believes that the incinerator is inconsistent with, and contrary to, the visions and goals for the entire Lower Bucks County Delaware Waterfront," according to the resolution. 

With passage of the resolution, Bensalem officials will notify Bristol Township and its boards and commissions of its opposition. In addition, Bensalem intends to "enter its appearance and participate in any and all proceedings" related to the incinerator project. 

The Bristol Township Zoning Hearing Board tabled its decision on the project until February. The board meets on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 2501 Bath Road in Bristol. 


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