New Jersey waterways flooded by millions of pounds of chemicals, report says

nj.com ^

[chessplayer]

PAULSBORO — Standing in the shadow of the Paulsboro Refining Company and right next to the Delaware River, representatives from Environment New Jersey and Mom's Clean Air Force released a report showing millions of pounds of chemicals have been released into the state's waterways.

Approximately 206 million pounds of toxic chemicals, from ammonia and phenol to zinc, sodium nitrate and hydrogen sulfide, were released into waterways in the United States in 2012, according to the report, with 5.862 million of those pounds being in New Jersey — making it the 14th highest in the country.

Maureen Cervantes, a lifelong Paulsboro resident, discussed her personal experiences with environmental problems stemming from pollution in the borough. From breathing problems in her family to destroyed property due to chemical releases, she has seen the issues Paulsboro residents face when it comes to the industry in town.

"I have trees that die, I can't plant things in my backyard, nothing will grow but weeds," she said.

[chessplayer]

Just imagine what companies would do if regulations were done away with like so many on the right want. Our lakes, rivers, and air would look like China's. But, hey, some paper with green ink splashed on it is more important than being able to breathe or drink clean water, right?

[Cold Heat]

Why don’t you just go plant a tree, or have relations with it..or something...

[Steely Tom]

Perhaps the EPA doesn’t realize that New Jersey is a state.

[Ray76]

There is a lot of heavy industry around Philadelphia. Paulsboro has a lot a tank farms.

[vigilante2]

It doesn't seem like regulations are working.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Wouldn't it be nice if when liberals got into office they actually acted according to their beliefs and supported those environmental activities and regulations that provided the most protection for the least amount of money in a cash-strapped economy.

Instead they behave no different than the Republicans giving subsidies and tax breaks to the well connected, enacting more legislation and regulations against those who can't fight, and reducing regulation against the rich and powerful that fuel their reelection campaigns.

Obama is a Goldman-Sachs shill. You know it and it must make you very angry and frustrated to see that even when the most perfect, the most liberal, the most compassionate candidate (from your perspective) finally becomes president, even he becomes a pawn of the crony capitalists.

Even Noam Chomsky has disowned the Campaigner-In-Chief. You should to. Free yourself from his spell.

[Bogey78O]

What? You never seen corruption before?

Don’t worry, those plants are staying within EPA guidelines. Our politicians aren’t going to lie to us about something so important?

[Williams]

We have Obama and the EPA, so what went wrong with your liberal fantasy? Sounds like the regulation isn’t working according to this article.

What a joke. Don’t you know the liberals don’t give a damn about the environment? The Democrats are all about money and big business.

[BluH2o]

These chemical ‘hot spots’ exist all along the coast line (and inland) of what was the industrial northeast. Norwalk & Bridgeport, CT, parts of RI, and southeastern MA. Many of these areas are designated ‘cancer cluster zones’ for good reason. Very high cancer rates.

[Fledermaus]

Liberals on the bus go “whine whine whine”.

Check your sources.

[Argus]

They don’t call it The Garbage State for nothing.

And I grew up there...

[HereInTheHeartland]

“Just imagine what companies would do if regulations were done away with like so many on the right want.”

Ok DU poster; I’ll answer your question you were given at your last Earth First meeting.
I don’t know of any on the right who want to “do away” with all regulations.

But you probably don’t realize that the EPA is making up random regulations that have nothing to do with any safety issues. The EPA wants to kill the coal industry and are acting to do it. With no votes being taken by our elected representatives; are you in favor of that?

The EPA is turning it’s sights on agriculture next. They are trying to regulate dust being produced by normal field operations such as harvest; are you in favor of that?

And on and on.

Are you in favor of of your President directing his EPA to do huge chunks of things like this outside of the Congressional lawmaking process? By regulatory edict; instead of bring voted on by our elected representatives.

[smokingfrog]

When the weeds stop growing, it’s time to get worried.

[Larry Lucido]

A whole lot of it is reported to be dihydrogen monoxide.

[okie01]

Are you in favor of of your President directing his EPA to do huge chunks of things like this outside of the Congressional lawmaking process? By regulatory edict; instead of bring voted on by our elected representatives.

Every new environmental regulation offered by the EPA should require the filing of an accompanying Economic Impact Report.

[EQAndyBuzz]

And if you close the plant, how many people will be jobless?

The EPA set the guidelines. The plant is adhering to them.

[Ray76]

Industry is power.

[98ZJ USMC]

Just imagine what companies would do if regulations were done away with like so many on the right want. Our lakes, rivers, and air would look like China's. But, hey, some paper with green ink splashed on it is more important than being able to breathe or drink clean water, right?

Because libraries of regulations stopped this......oh, wait.

[gleeaikin]

I don’t know how things are on the west side of NJ, but on my frequent trips from Maryland to NY City 30 and 40 years ago, I can remember the thick stench of the Jersey Meadows and Secaucus. Haven’t noticed it that much in recent years.