Dangerous Fire at Local Trash Plant Calls for Closure

The Eagle Point Energy Center, formerly known as PERC, has burned twice in two years—once for ten days and again with a swift fire that still left a smoldering trail of smoke over ten towns. Each incident has raised alarm about safety, health, and environmental impact.

• Noise, odor, and bright lights have plagued the community for over twenty years.
• The first blaze forced residents to cope with breathing problems after prolonged exposure.
• The recent fire released a cocktail of dangerous chemicals—heavy metals, lithium, plastics, and dioxins—into the air.

Residents near the plant report daily hardships:

• An everyday eyesore that looms over the Penobscot River.
• Growing concerns about river pollution, compounded by another toxic site upstream.
• A local cancer survivor links the ongoing contamination to rising illness rates among neighbors.

The town of Orrington faces a pivotal decision: shut down the plant permanently or find an alternative waste management strategy. Closing it could:

• Protect residents from ongoing pollution.
• Prevent future fires and the associated health risks.
• Help restore the river’s ecological balance.

A comprehensive waste‑handling plan is essential to safeguard the community and preserve the natural beauty of the Penobscot River.