BREAKING: Chiquita Canyon Landfill is set to burn for at least 20 years, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo revealed during a news conference on July 27, 2023. The landfill’s underground fire has reportedly tripled in size, raising urgent concerns for local residents and environmental advocates.
“This is a literal dumpster fire,” Schiavo stated, emphasizing the dire situation at the landfill, located just outside Santa Clarita Valley. The assemblywoman gathered community members at Castaic Community AME Church, which doubles as a food pantry, to discuss potential regulations and upcoming meetings related to air quality.
The assemblywoman’s comments come as the California Air Resources Board prepares to hold an online public hearing on new standards for monitoring methane emissions from landfills. Residents are encouraged to participate in this crucial meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday. Schiavo urged locals to voice their concerns about the landfill’s hazardous impact on their lives.
Local resident Nora Lynne Clemmons expressed frustration, stating, “It’s late, it’s … we’re in it, and we cannot escape.” This sentiment echoes the plight of many community members who feel the burden of the landfill’s ongoing issues.
The Chiquita Canyon Landfill has been experiencing elevated temperatures, reaching around 240 degrees, due to a settlement issue and what officials describe as an “elevated temperature landfill event.” The landfill has been cited as a significant contributor to California’s methane emissions, representing over 20% of the state’s total.
Experts like Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics, have been studying the landfill’s problems for three years. Williams noted that the methane-extraction system in the over 60-year-old landfill may have contributed to the current crisis by inadvertently pulling air into the subsurface, which can ignite smoldering waste.
“Without updated regulations for landfill emissions, these events are likely to keep occurring,” she warned. The current rules have not changed in over 15 years, and without action, the potential for future disasters remains high.
Schiavo is advocating for enhanced regulations through Assembly Bill 28, aimed at improving landfill oversight. The bill was reintroduced for further study after initial discussions in the previous legislative session. “We’re here to work towards real solutions at the California Air Resources Board,” she said, emphasizing the need for community engagement and transparency.
During the July panel discussion, residents voiced their concerns, highlighting the emotional toll of living near the landfill. The potential methane emission reductions from proposed regulations are estimated to be around 17,000 metric tons per year, translating to avoided social costs between $56 million and $178 million over three years.
As the situation at Chiquita Canyon unfolds, residents are urged to stay informed and participate in the upcoming discussions. The community’s health and safety depend on swift action and effective regulations to prevent the landfill from continuing to threaten their lives.
For more information about the upcoming meeting, residents can find details at bit.ly/4oEoMon and submit comments at ww2.arb.ca.gov/lispub/comm/bclist.php. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.
