Files on Waste Incinerators (Department of Environmental Protection)
| Multi Request | Files on Waste Incinerators |
| Submitted | March 14, 2019 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Liam Knox
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all environmental impact reports related to the seven waste combustion facilities in Massachusetts: Covanta Haverhill, Covanta of SEMASS, Wheelabrator Millbury, Wheelabrator North Andover, and Wheelabrator Saugus. For the offices of the town and city clerks who are also receiving this request, please limit your search to the facility located within your jurisdiction.
I am also requesting a copy of all emails between department employees and employees of Wheelabrator Technologies from 2000-the present; as well as between department employees and employees of Covanta Energy.
I am also requesting a copy of all contracts between the state or city and Wheelabrator Technologies, as well as all contracts with Covanta Energy.
I would also like a copy of all emails from constituents that include the keywords "waste incinerator," "waste combustion," "Wheelabrator," "Covanta" and/or "waste pollution."
I request that I be properly classified as a news media requester. I am an intern for MuckRock, and I am requesting this information in that editorial capacity. MuckRock is widely known for its investigative work as well as historical pieces based on public records requests.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Liam Knox
From: Department of Environmental Protection
Hi Liam,
I'm responding to your Public Records request below, and hoping that I can speak to you directly to clarify the documents that you're looking for and the timeframes in which to look for those documents. Is there a number that you can send to me so that I can call you on these issues? If not, can you call me at the office? (617-292-5737).
Thanks for your help,
Ed Coletta
From: Liam Knox
Hi Ed,
My apologies for not responding sooner! I was on vacation and just got back today. Yes, you can call me at (609) 571-5499 at whatever time is convenient for you today.
Best,
Liam
From: Liam Knox
Hi Ed,
Here is my revised, narrowed request:
I am requesting a copy of all emails between Commissioner Martin Suuberg, Deputy Commissioner Gary Moran, Anthony Veilleux, Edmund Coletta, and Kathleen Kerigan with Wheelabrator Technologies, as well as between the aforementioned officials and employees of Covanta Energy. You can limit this search to emails sent/received between 2010 and 2019.
I am also requesting a copy of all email correspondences between members of the public, local officials, and/or environmental advocacy groups and the MADEP Public Affairs office from 2010-2019.
Please let me know if this new request sufficiently eases the search burden on your end. If you'd like to call me to talk more about the request, you can call me on Thursday between 10 and 6, or Friday between 1 and 4.
Thank you!
Best,
Liam Knox
MuckRock News
From: Liam Knox
My apologies, I forgot to include the keywords for the email search! Please revise that part of my request to read: I am also requesting a copy of all email correspondences between members of the public, local officials, and/or environmental advocacy groups and the MADEP Public Affairs office from 2010-2019 that include the keywords "Wheelabrator," "Covanta," or "ash dumping."
Thank you!
--Liam
From: Department of Environmental Protection
Hi Liam,
Just getting back to you to say that we've received your revised public records request below and are working to find documents that are responsive to your requests. I'll update on our progress as soon as I can....
Thanks, Ed
From: Department of Environmental Protection
Hi Liam,
After further reviewing your amended Public Records request below, we'd ask that you further clarify or narrow your request.
For example, the new request does not specify any particular subject matter(s) for the emails between Commissioner Suuberg et al and Wheelabrator/Covanta that you are requesting. Do you want us to use the same search terms as you provide for emails between members of the public and MassDEP's Public Affairs Office (e.g., Wheelabrator, Covanta, ash dumping)? And if so, are you only interested in facilities that receive ash for disposal?
Making revisions such as these would be helpful as we search for documents responsive to your request. Let me know if you have any questions on these issues...
Thanks, Ed
From: Liam Knox
Hi Ed,
Thanks for touching base about this! Yes, please use the search terms I mentioned in my last email. I am interested in all waste incinerator facilities, though, including those that receive raw trash and those that receive sewage and human waste. Would you recommend I revise the search terms if I want to receive files on those as well?
Thanks for your help!
--Liam
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Massachusetts Public Records Law request, copied below, and originally submitted on March 14, 2019. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Department of Environmental Protection
Hi MuckRock,
MassDEP contacted the original requester for this information, Liam Knox, back in November of 2019 and he withdrew this request at that time, saying that the request was no longer active. So MassDEP took no further action on this request following that discussion. Please contact Liam Knox to confirm that this request has been terminated.
Thank you,
Ed Coletta
Files
There are no files associated with this request.