NJ Applauds Covanta over Installation of Air Emissions Equipment

New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin has issued a statement regarding a final agreement among Covanta Energy Corp., the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and New York City that will result in installation of air-emissions reduction technology at Covanta's Essex County Resource Recovery Facility in Newark.

"Improving the quality of New Jersey's air is a top environmental priority of the Christie Administration,” states Martin. “I commend Covanta, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and New York City for working as partners with the DEP to reach this important agreement, which sets an aggressive schedule for the installation of state-of-the-art baghouse technology that will significantly improve emissions from the facility and improve the quality of air in New Jersey's largest city. This is a milestone for clean air and a win for the residents of Newark."

Covanta had earlier signed a lease through 2032 with the Port Authority and a 20-year municipal solid waste contract with New York City to enable Covanta's investment in operational improvements. The upgrades will include the installation of a particulate emissions control system on each of the facility's three combustion units, as well as a new recycling system that will recover more ferrous and non-ferrous metals from residual ash.

The facility is currently in compliance with all environmental permits, and its control of air emissions will be further improved with the baghouse installation.