Sunday, February 9, 2025

Lower Electric Bills and Save the Planet? Supporting A.B. EcoPark Could Be Connecticut’s Best Path Forward

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Connecticut residents grapple with some of the highest electric bills in the nation, compounded by an outdated and expensive waste management system that burdens both the environment and our finances. Enter A.B. EcoPark—a proposed initiative in North Haven aimed at addressing these pressing challenges by lowering electric rates, reducing pollution, and positioning Connecticut as a leader in recycling and renewable energy.

Unfortunately, misinformation and public apprehension have sidelined this promising solution, jeopardizing the opportunity to transform our state.

The Challenge: Rising Costs, Low Recycling Rates, and Poor Air Quality

Connecticut’s electricity rates rank among the highest in the U.S., averaging over 20 cents per kilowatt-hour—nearly double the rates found in many other states. This summer, these rates surged even higher, leaving residents facing exorbitant utility bills. A significant portion of Connecticut’s electricity is derived from fossil fuels, which not only keeps costs elevated but also exacerbates pollution.

The state’s waste management system further compounds the problem. Disposal costs have escalated from $65 per ton just two years ago to approximately $115 per ton today, placing an increasing financial burden on towns that often pass these costs on to taxpayers through higher taxes. Alarmingly, Connecticut’s recycling rates remain dismal, with only about 5% of the waste stream being recycled. A staggering 70% of our trash is incinerated—often with fossil fuels—releasing harmful CO2 and methane that degrade air quality. What isn’t incinerated is transported out of state in 80-120 diesel-fueled trucks daily, ultimately ending up in landfills.

This antiquated system carries serious health consequences. Connecticut has one of the highest asthma rates in the country, with 10.6% of adults and 11.8% of children affected. Pollution from incineration and truck emissions contributes to these respiratory issues, underscoring the unsustainability of our current waste and energy practices.

A.B. EcoPark: A Missed Opportunity for Lower Electric Bills and a Cleaner Environment

A.B. EcoPark, envisioned by North Haven native Bill Gambardella and supported by innovative sorting technology from Redwave Engineering, was designed to revolutionize Connecticut’s approach to waste, recycling, and energy. Gambardella envisioned a carbon-negative facility that would not only lower electric bills but also improve air quality and establish Connecticut as a leader in renewable energy. “This isn’t just another waste facility,” Gambardella stated. “It’s a way to lower electric bills, clean our air, and spearhead renewable energy initiatives in Connecticut.”

Here’s how A.B. EcoPark intended to make a significant impact:

Lower Electric Bills: A.B. EcoPark was set to convert waste into renewable energy, generating enough power to sustain its operations and supply surplus electricity to a new municipal power grid. This clean, locally generated energy would significantly reduce electric rates, resulting in millions of dollars in annual savings for residents.

Taxpayer Savings: Disposal costs, known as tipping fees, represent a hefty expense for towns. For every $1.00 reduction in tipping fees, taxpayers save $1 million. A.B. EcoPark was projected to decrease these fees by at least $30 per ton, leading to $30 million in annual savings for Connecticut towns. This financial relief could ease the burden on communities, keeping taxes lower and allowing funds to be redirected to essential services.

Cleaner, Greener Energy: A.B. EcoPark would replace fossil fuel-derived natural gas with Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) sourced from organic waste, providing a carbon-neutral energy alternative that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels. This shift would reduce Connecticut’s dependence on fossil fuels and lower utility costs.

Revolutionizing Recycling: A.B. EcoPark aimed to recycle 80% of the waste stream, a significant improvement over the current 5% recycling rate. By sorting plastics by type and glass by color, A.B. EcoPark could drastically minimize landfill contributions, saving on disposal costs and mitigating environmental impact. The remaining 20% of non-recyclable materials would be repurposed for landfill cover or used in concrete, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Water Conservation: A.B. EcoPark would capture, purify, and reuse 30,000 gallons of water daily from the waste it processes, providing a sustainable water source for local industries and preserving valuable resources.

Fresh, Chemical-Free Produce: A.B. EcoPark planned to integrate an on-site greenhouse utilizing captured CO2 to cultivate organic, pesticide-free crops. This sustainable farming approach would offer fresh produce at affordable prices, benefiting the community while reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting food.

Misinformation and Missed Opportunities

Despite these clear advantages, A.B. EcoPark encountered significant opposition fueled by misinformation. Environmental advocate Nancy Alderman became a prominent opponent, publishing a heated opinion piece in the CT Mirror that characterized A.B. EcoPark as a “toxic dump park” with an incinerator poised to “harm a wide area of Connecticut’s population.”

Her claims stemmed from a misunderstanding of the project’s design. While the facility included plans for an “incinerator,” it was fundamentally different from traditional incinerators in the U.S. that burn everything indiscriminately, including plastics and recyclables, releasing harmful emissions. A.B. EcoPark’s incinerator was engineered to combust primarily organic materials, such as food waste, and possess technology to capture and repurpose emissions. Captured CO2 would be utilized in beverages and the on-site greenhouse, while captured methane would be converted into RNG.

Despite Gambardella and his engineering team presenting extensive data to clarify the facility’s true nature, the damage had been done. Ironically, those seeking alternatives to the incineration of 70% of Connecticut’s trash ended up opposing the most viable solution available.

A misinformation campaign took root, fostering public fear: signs urging residents to “Stop the Incinerator” appeared throughout North Haven and neighboring towns, overshadowing the project’s potential environmental benefits. Public hearings drew vocal opposition, with over 250 people signing a petition against the project. The backlash prompted local politicians to withdraw support for the recycling initiative.

What’s Next for A.B. EcoPark?

On March 27, 2024, the Inland Wetlands Committee denied the A.B. EcoPark proposal, effectively quashing its chances of being realized in North Haven. By obstructing this project, Connecticut forfeited a crucial opportunity to lower electric bills, enhance air quality, and lead the way in sustainable waste management and recycling—without any better alternatives in sight.

Bill Gambardella expressed his frustration over the backlash, stating, “I’ve lived my entire life less than a mile from where the project site would have been. If A.B. EcoPark was going to harm the community and pollute the air, why would I put it near me and my family?”

Despite his best efforts, misinformation continued to proliferate online, tarnishing Gambardella’s reputation and that of the project. “People attacked my ethics and made personal attacks on my family,” he recounted. “I was simply trying to solve a problem the best way I knew how.”

Currently, A.B. EcoPark’s future in Connecticut remains uncertain. Unless state and town officials actively counter public misconceptions, the opportunity to establish this recycling facility may be permanently lost. Gambardella, however, remains hopeful, stating, “We’re not giving up on the project, but we are resigning ourselves to the fact that it may not happen in North Haven.”

He also mentioned that a new petition in support of the project is circulating online. “Even if you were against us before, we hope you’ll support what we’re trying to do now and help spread the word.”

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