SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has opened a civil rights investigation into Baltimore City’s waste plan. A complaint was filed with the federal agency against the City and its Department of Public Works.

The complaint alleged that the continued operations of a mass burn combustion facility, as per the 10-year solid waste management plan, will have impacts on nearby communities. It must be noted that WIN Waste Innovations, which runs the facility, has long been denying the allegations, saying that emissions from heavy truck traffic also contribute to the air quality of the area. Furthermore, it reiterated that the facility has been operating well under the federal and state emission limits.

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The complaint was filed on behalf of the South Baltimore Community Land Trust by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Environmental Integrity Project. It alleged that the City has failed to fulfil its responsibility to cut down pollution faced by several South Baltimore communities, whose majority population are Black and Hispanic.

Various environment groups welcomed EPA’s decision to investigate the complaint, saying that such a move will lead to real benefits for the communities. The residents of South Baltimore have all rights to live in a clean and healthy environment, they added.