The Kings County Planning Commission has been looking at whether a controversial expansion of a hazardous waste landfill near Kettleman City is in the public interest. The hearings have drawn overflow crowds, and many residents are angry at the proposal.
That's not surprising. No one wants to live near a hazardous waste landfill, and we understand the reluctance of Kettleman City residents to see the possibility of the Waste Management facility getting even larger.
But the proposal by Waste Management is partly the result of California's restrictive environmental regulations. As a state, we have decided that we want environmental hazards removed from contaminated sites, and that material be disposed of properly.
You can't say get rid of hazardous material, but don't dump it anywhere.
We believe that Waste Management's proposal is a reasonable one, given California's environmental regulations. The Kettleman Hills facility is highly regulated, and has a good safety record. This plan would extend the hazardous waste capacity by 30 years.
But Waste Management's plan has been contentious from the start, and the issue has split the community, and in some cases families.
Supporters told commissioners Monday that the facility is safe, needed and should be allowed to expand. Opponents want the expansion stopped until health officials determine what caused five birth defects in the area. But Kings County officials say there is no evidence of an unusual number of birth defects.
Kettleman City is just over three miles from the Kettleman Hills landfill, which is on 1,600 acres. About 474 acres are authorized for treatment, storage and disposal operations for hazardous waste and designated waste, and for disposal operations for municipal solid waste.
The proposal is to expand the hazardous waste landfill by 14 acres and add a 64-acre landfill.
We have yet to hear a workable alternative to Waste Management's expansion plan. The proposal should be approved.
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