Township Resident Worried About BRE Oversight

Note: This article has been updated and corrected to remove a quote that was mistakenly attributed to Township Manager Jack Cahalan.

A Lower Saucon Township resident and candidate for township council recently told council that a company that converts methane gas—which is produced as a byproduct of the decomposition process at IESI Bethlehem Landfill—into energy is "up and running," and she's concerned about it.

Donna Louder questioned council members about how closely tanks that temporarily store moisture created as part of the energy conversion process are being monitored.

In early 2012, the moisture collection system in place at BRE's facility on Applebutter Road failed and the condensate leaked, prompting a shutdown that lasted until recently.

The newly-installed and approved collection tanks need to be emptied approximately every three days, and Louder wanted to know if council members have any way of knowing whether they are being emptied according to schedule.

"I think the township should care," agreed councilwoman Priscilla deLeon. "We sit here and we approve all these things with conditions…what does it mean?"

"I'd like to ask the administration to please take the time and look at this and follow up," she said.

"We will follow up. We'll look into it and give you a report," responded Township Manager Jack Cahalan.

Lower Saucon Township receives income from BRE in the form of gas royalties.