A Public Dialogue Is Necessary

June 8, 2023

Michael Sauers

Recently, I was invited to attend a public meeting regarding the proposed Encina Plastics Recycling proposal. Encina, a Texas based company, is proposing to build a chemical process (pyrolysis) plastic recycling plant in Point Township between Danville and Northumberland. For several reasons I have decided that the proposal is not in the best interest of the community. Please refer to the May 14, 2023 post entitled, Encina Is Too Little and Too Late.

Today, I’m writing to point out a phenomena that occurs almost always around large industrial proposals that have the potential to significantly impact the local community and region. The proponents of large economic development proposals do their best to line up all of the local ducks. This usually includes the business community, trade unions, politicians, and economic development groups. They are there to help convince the rest of the community that the proposal is benign, beneficial and important to the progress of the community. Jobs, jobs, and more jobs plus tax revenues, tax revenues and more tax revenues are heralded. Undoubtedly, the community at large has a basket full of questions. More than likely there will be a vocal opposition group. It’s a standoff situation.

This is where the proponents bring out the ace up their sleeve. EXPERTS, EXPERTS and more EXPERTS! I have seen this hundreds of times in my own experiences. They are paid to outsmart, intimidate, bully and condescend to the community. They cost a lot of money. What is a local community to do? Usually they get busy doing research completely out of their field of expertise. They read. They call. They write. They try to raise money to counter the EXPERTS. This is a daunting and exhausting task. It creates divisions within the community. I say it is bullshit! I say it is blatantly unfair!

This is where State of Pennsylvania tax money should be available. A fund should be established for local communities to hire INDEPENDENT EXPERTS to help them understand, process and, perhaps, fight a proposal. What about the DEP, DCNR or EPA? They are useless. They are underfunded just like our public schools (Gee, how does that happen?). They are understaffed (Gee, here we go again.). Instead of giving out billions of dollars in corporate welfare, let’s help affected communities be in control of their destinies. Instead of streamlining permitting, weakening regulations and fast tracking controversial proposals, let’s give affected communities some tools for managing their futures. Are you listening Governor Shapiro? Are you listening PA House? Are you listening PA Senate?

I attended a campaign rally in Bloomsburg during the last governor’s race. Candidate Shapiro spoke. Afterwards, I ask Mr. Shapiro why he had made no mention of issues regarding the environment. He thought that he had but I heard none. At the time, I thought of him as a centrist to right leaning Democrat. On some issues, perhaps, a moderate Republican. I felt he would be very comfortable speaking to the Chamber of Commerce or the Pennsylvania Manufacturer’s Association. I had read that he has presidential ambitions. From a business/environmental perspective I believe I am correct. His public pronouncements often sound like a political campaign.

He appears to be following the corporate welfare inclinations of past governors. Banks Township, Hazle Township, Hometown, Williamsport, etc. Millions of Dollars! To the best of my knowledge, he nor any of his agency leaders have met with viable statewide environmental groups/coalitions such as Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Better Path Coalition and others. Highly controversial “fracking”, carbon capture, and hydrogen hubs seem to be a priority without any meaningful dialogue with the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

I want to respectfully urge Governor Shapiro to robustly build up the DEP and DCNR in terms of funding and staffing. I want environmental regulations to be enforced. I do not want to see the permitting process weakened. In fact, I want permitting and regulations to be strengthened to benefit affected communities. I want a healthy public dialogue. Statewide town hall meetings and an EXPERT FUND would be a good start.