Politics & Government

Public Hearing Tonight on Air Quality at Grayslake Landfill

The Illinois EPA is hosting a public forum regarding the air quality at the Countryside Landfill.

Grayslake residents concerned about clean air have a chance to voice their opinions regarding air pollution levels at Countryside Landfill.

The Illinois EPA is holding a Public Hearing at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, March 22. The meeting will be held in the Grayslake Central High School auditorium, 400 North Lake Street.

A group of residents is very concerned about this issue, said Kim Thoede of Incinerator Free Lake County. "Waste Management Countryside Landfill is requesting that the EPA relax the current air quality standard that they have been unable to comply with since 2008," she wrote in an email. "Rather than put in the equipment and technology necessary to adhere to the air quality standard in place, instead they are requesting legal permission to continue to pollute."

Sulfur dioxide emissions has been an issue at the landfill that has caused many residents to complain. Thoede said the air quality issue should be a concern to everyone in the area "considering the landfill's close proximity to schools, workplaces (like the new FedEx facility on Rt. 83), businesses, Lake County Fairgrounds, houses of worship, and many homes."

She said they want to urge the IL EPA to require Countryside Landfill to:

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  • Keep its sulfur dioxide emissions at or under its current permitted levels or face stiff fines
  • Install a "scrubber" to clean up the hydrogen sulfide gas
  • Agree to not accept construction materials containing gypsum-based drywall---which is the main cause of the hydrogen sulfide gas
  • Install a backup generator at the facility to keep the "flare" operating at all times


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