“Mayor Scott Under Fire: Advocates File Civil Rights Complaint Over Baltimore’s Waste Management Plan”

Advocates for South Baltimore’s overburdened neighborhoods have filed a federal civil rights complaint against Mayor Brandon Scott, accusing him of broken promises and policy flip-flops. The complaint, known as a Title VI violation, was lodged with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by the South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT), the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), and the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP).

The complaint alleges that Baltimore City’s 10-year solid waste plan fails to allocate the necessary resources to move away from reliance on the WIN Waste incinerator, which is the largest stationary source of industrial air pollution in Baltimore. The incinerator, located in South Baltimore, emits hazardous pollutants that harm the predominantly Black and Hispanic communities in the area.

According to a 2017 study commissioned by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, emissions from the WIN Waste incinerator cost Maryland and neighboring states $55 million in human health problems annually. The incinerator’s emissions also contribute to nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, causing harmful algal blooms.

The complaint highlights the unequal risks experienced by the neighborhoods of Cherry Hill, Brooklyn, Curtis Bay, Lakeland, Westport, and Mt. Winans, which are categorized as disadvantaged communities with high environmental burdens. The advocates are calling for the city to invest in composting and recycling infrastructure to transition away from trash incineration.

The EPA will decide whether to accept the complaint for further investigation. Leah Kelly, a senior attorney with the Environmental Integrity Project, stated that the complaint seeks relief that includes a commitment from the city to make investments in composting and recycling infrastructure on a defined timeline.

The advocates are critical of Mayor Scott’s failure to keep his promise to phase out incineration, as the city entered into a 10-year contract in 2020 to continue incinerating waste through 2031. The advocates argue that the city’s solid waste plan does not show a serious commitment to phasing out incineration and investing in zero-waste infrastructure.

The EPA is expected to release stricter emissions standards for large incinerators by the end of 2024, which could have significant health benefits and environmental impacts. The advocates are urging the city to prioritize public health and environmental justice by moving away from trash incineration and investing in sustainable waste management practices.

Aman Azhar, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist covering environmental justice for Inside Climate News, has been following the developments in Baltimore and the Title VI complaint closely. Azhar’s reporting sheds light on the challenges faced by communities impacted by pollution and the need for policy changes to address environmental injustices.