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StumbleReid to Gibbons: Keep 1 million tons of trash out of Nevada
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 | 2:24 p.m.
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WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today urged Gov. Jim Gibbons to intervene in a San Francisco-based company’s plans to ship 1 million tons of California trash annually to a new landfill in Winnemucca, calling it a threat to the state’s dignity.
In a letter today, Reid said the proposal would substantially increase the amount of out-of-state trash being dumped in Nevada and urged Gibbons to “use every available authority to stop this threat to Nevada’s sovereignty and dignity.”
The landfill proposal won conditional approval from the Humboldt County Planning Commission in Winnemucca, allowing it to apply for permits from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.
The proposal has divided the desert community east of Reno, according to news reports.
The dump proposed for the desert playa could bring $1 million annually and 25 new jobs. But other residents believe the square-mile mountain of trash could be a health hazard.
The state should “deny the proposed dump all environmental permits thus protecting the residents of Winnemucca and Humboldt County and the playa,” Reid wrote.
Reid encouraged the governor to contact him “if there is anything I can help the state do to find other economic development opportunities in and near Winnemucca which don’t require creating an unnecessary environmental and public health hazard that will last for generations.”
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OMG, could I actually agree with our miserable Senator. California can keep their trash or send it to Searchlight, Nevada.
Winnemucca is in the middle on no where. I say keep the jobs. They should expand it and create more jobs. One day we will realize that all the stuff we now call trash is recyclable and will be an asset to the state. Jobs, Jobs and more jobs that is what we need in this state.
@ lasvegas2009
I agree. If this creates jobs in NV, then green light it. This has nothing to do with dignity. Doesn't Humboldt county have legal prostitution, and Reid is worried about a landfill? Irvine, CA (one of the nicest places on earth) has a huge landfill and I don't see the Irvinites burying their heads in shame.
Reid wants to help NV, but it seems if Reid is not involved in the process the idea is a bad one for the state.
Reid is an Idiot. Nevada is a perfect spot for a landfill and a Nuclear Dump for that matter. Has anyone actually drove across this state, it is borderline uninhablitable for the most part. I am a native, but I think Californias money would help Nevada right now. No one will ever see the trash they bury in Nevada. There is no logical reason to turn down money and business other than Politics! Nevada is perfect for a dump. If harry was smart he would figure out a way to make some green project out of it and suck some of that free money out of Uncle BO for the project.
Has California heard of recycling?
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18969...
hahahahahahaha
We are always "dumping" on California..... Now they are dumping on us!!
Isn't there a mountain somewhere in Nevada that was going to be used for another type of "dump"? Put it there along with some of the elected officials !
Hey Gentle master...this state would be nothing but a dustbowl if it were not for California. A comment like that is like someone in the little league making fun a a major leaguer. Pull your head out of your $#%$#%$.
Nevada doesn't need the fees or the jobs. We run jobs out of this state by the thousands. Why worry about adding a few. The income and the taxes would just be wasted on some teachers or nurses. Let's keep outsiders out of Nevada, oh, except visitors dropping cash every day in the slots.
reid only wants his green jobs and train project plan here...nothing else!!!!
it is jobs D.A. nevada needs them...we cannot wait until 2012 to have your jobs created....
Maestro......Thank you for your intellectual and truthful comment
Reid could just call Barbra Boxer and Nancy Pelosi to end this new business in Nevada
What's the difference anyway..look at all the cities and towns..rural and otherwise. You'll find more trash everywhere. Just look at some peoples property..FULL of JUNK !!!!!! Nevadians don't care what their place looks like..Trash is all over.. So what's the diff. if CA hauls more in..Will blend in, anyway!!!
The elections are coming up, So old Harry has to make it look like he gives a DAMM about Nevada, to make people think he cares a lot about what is going on in the state and keep his name in the news as much as possible.
This little man needs to go!
Buh Bye Harry Reid.
I agree with Harry Reid. I grew up believing that New Jersey and Staten Island were nothing but hell holes filled with garbage dumps. It is demeaning to the state's dignity to get only 25 jobs out of this mountain of trash.
However, I have one question. When Harry Reid says: "The state should deny the proposed dump all environmental permits". Can I ask WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS? I was under the impression that we live in the Banana Republic of Nevada where the state government has elected not to regulate environmental issues, other than those which the Federal government forces them to regulate on penalty of losing Federal funds.
Did someone from Oregon sneak LSD into the Nevada Legislators' coffee while I was away on vacation, and did the Legislature actually enact some meaningful state environmental laws?
Naah! It didn't happen. Claiming Nevada issues or denies "environmental permits" is just one of Senator Reid's little bits of dry humor.
It seems California is looking to Nevada to keep its state clean. Mineral County is seeking authorization under the name of economic development for a big "coffer" to put California precious trash away too. California "gold" will then be put into a smaller coffer that will compensate the county for this priviledge. However, the parties seem to be covertly trying to get this accomplished, as no new news has been revealed in a while. It won't be long that Nevada will be buried in dollars along with the garbage. This confirms that money stinks!
To only receive 1 million a year seems pretty cheap, & just 25 jobs created? Hardly seems worth it having to take in garbage for the next 95 years (according to the RJ article on this).
Don't take the garbage - you wil regret it for the rest time!
Waste of energy, and ground water contamination threat, it will stink worse than Rush Limpbowel, which is pretty bad
Thumper, you do your research very well. Keep it up.
As for Pinky & Son (could be a good sequel to Sanford and Son), keep up the great work and don't act like our current governor.
We should not accept...but think about the history of Nevada...we used to test A Bombs (and old timers that worked there are still suffering and dying from those effects), we are the only state to legalize prostitution, the first state to legalize gambling, the rest of the County wanted to make us the dump for the US with Yucca Mountain, and now this for Winnemucca...find the $ One Million some other way...why should we be everyone's toilet!
Before NV accepts any CA trash, we need to have stricter environmental laws on the books AND getting more water needs to be part of the deal.
does this mean that Grumps, er, I mean, Gramps really cares...about reelection?
Finally, Harry is making sense!
"Winnemucca is in the middle on no where. I say keep the jobs. They should expand it and create more jobs. One day we will realize that all the stuff we now call trash is recyclable and will be an asset to the state. Jobs, Jobs and more jobs that is what we need in this state"
I think it should go right in back of YOUR house!
Californians should keep their junk. We are not another state's dumping ground! Good job, Harry!
Facts:
1. Recology, the landfill company has only offered Winnemucca $1 per ton. This is considerably lower than what they pay in Ca. In addition, they will pay the state of CA a mandatory fee of $1.85 per ton even if they put the trash in NV. What's wrong with that picture? Winnemucca, if they take this landfill, must negotiate a much better price.
2. Having said that, I don't know how much money would cover the risk of storing 4000 tons of trash per day, 5 days a week, including abestos, waste sludge, and tires, for 95 years. This land fill is projected to be a 200 ft tall mtn which is the equivalent of an 18-20 story building.
3. Recology says the land fill MIGHT add 25 jobs to the area. In a community surrounded by some of the highest producing gold mines in the country, and somewhat sheltered from some of the rest of the economic issues in the country, 25 jobs is not significant.
4.Recology is looking at NV because it is cheaper than CA landfills and the rules are less challenging to build a landfill. Gee, what can NV learn from that?
5.There are most likely increased infrastructure costs that will hit Winnemucca. EG: they have a volunteer fire dept. Will they need a permanent one given the land fill?
6. The proposed site is near homes, a water source and grazing cattle.
So, thank you Sen Reid for the letter. While Gibbons has the opportunity to do the honorable thing, I doubt he will step up. I, too wish Reid would just call Pelosi and say, "Hey, Nance...you know that trash thing...just stop it."
Check out the web site for more information. Get involved. Nevada is not the US Dump Site:
http://nolandfill.wordpress.com/
Of particular interest is the article about SF looking to outsource its trash to cheaper states
Where is California going to borrow the money to pay for transporting their trash to Nevada? I thought the state was broke, and not able to pay any of its bills.
Typical myopic responses are coming from the "not in my State" bunch.
Why not Nevada????
We have more open space that is not only unihabitable but economically sterile. Why can't Nevada diversify?? Because Harry and some special interests that are paying him to squawk don't like it. Come on.
I read a comment about the size of the "mountain", do yourself a favor and go to Winnemucca. The tailings from the mines are "mountains".
Twenty-five jobs doesn't sound like much unless you personally know Twenty-five people unemployed.
Infrastructure concerns are rediculous. Especially concerning the Fire Dept. Why would they need a full-time force to protect a landfill? If a garbage truck was carrying a "hot" load it would have a problem long before it ever got to Winnemucca.
I guess the crazies can knee-jerk this to death but reality says "Welcome to Winnemucca" where there is more than just a regional speedway.
Getalife....This is not an open space issue.My home is not economically sterile and if you want this located downwind from you, be my guest!
This is a Class I Landfill 25 miles from my home. This is not a situation where new jobs will be created and where we can look at recycling opportunities or any other asset to the community. Everything that will be rolling in by train,(8 million lbs per day, 5 days per week, for 95 years)has already had anything recyclable sorted and sold. We get what is left over and that includes asbestos, sewage sludge, tires, pharmaceutical waste and household waste.
The mining industry here happens to generate real tax revenue and employs thousands of citizens. Our fire season can be devastating and wipes out thousands of acres per year, necessitating assessments of the type you mentioned as being "hotload" concerns.
If you own a home here and drink the water and breathe the air, you're entitled to your opinion. If not, you need to get your facts straight and do some research before you make your own "knee jerk" reactions public.
Valid point by a concerned homeowner/landowner.
You're not mortgaged under water, are you?