NJ Garbage Plant to Upgrade Pollution Filters

New Jersey environmental officials say an agreement has been reached to improve emission controls at a Newark trash incinerator plant.

The Essex County Resource Recovery Facility, which is owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and under long-term lease to Covanta Energy, also plans to sign a 20-year solid waste disposal contract with New York City's Sanitation Department.

DEP officials say the contract will help offset the costs of the estimated $75 million upgrade to the garbage burning facility, located in Newark's Ironbound neighborhood.

Gov. Chris Christie says the agreement is an important step in improving air quality for residents.

The New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club says the upgrade is overdue, but the plant will still produce dangerous air pollutants.

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