Governor Hassan's Veto Message Regarding SB 381
Statement
Governor Maggie Hassan released the following message after today vetoing Senate Bill 381:
"By the authority vested in me, pursuant to part II, Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution, on June 6, 2016, I have vetoed Senate Bill 381, relative to the combustion of the wood component of construction and demolition debris.
"Ensuring that all of our residents and visitors have access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment is critical to public health and a strong economy, and we must continue to work to protect our air, our water and our environment from harmful pollution. By removing the existing ban on the combustion of the wood component of construction and demolition debris at regulated facilities without stringent protections, this bill raises a number of serious environmental concerns that are not adequately addressed in the bill as written.
"While the bill places some limitations on the combustion of the wood component of construction and demolition debris, it does not set or outline a procedure to set fuel standards for this material or for testing requirements. Without standards and testing requirements, it will be difficult to ensure that construction and demolition wood used for combustion does not include contaminants that could be harmful if emitted.
"Moms Clean Air Force, New Hampshire Sierra Club, New Hampshire Citizen Alliance, Working on Waste, ACTS Now, REACH, and many other advocacy groups and citizen advocates have expressed concerns with the combustion of construction and demolition debris and opposition to the bill, and I share many of their concerns.
"At a time when we are experiencing a number of serious environmental contamination issues across the state, I have grave concerns about reopening the existing ban on the combustion of construction and demolition debris without strong regulatory controls in place. Because of these concerns, I have vetoed Senate Bill 381 and worked to develop appropriate language in House Bill 1428, including stronger controls, which will soon be at my desk for signature."
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