Why the Saugus Incinerator Buys "Offsets" Instead of Cleaning Up

Under Massachusetts DEP rules, certain industrial facilities can stay in compliance by buying pollution “offsets” instead of directly reducing their own emissions. It’s a regulated marketplace where one plant can purchase credits from another facility that has reduced the same type of pollution. On paper, the region’s air quality stays in balance, but the neighborhoods closest to the buyer don’t necessarily see any cleaner air.

When older waste-to-energy plants like the Saugus incinerator exceed their emission limits, they can use this system to offset pollution rather than upgrade their equipment.

Here’s what that means and why it matters:

1. It’s cheaper.

Upgrading a 1970s-era plant with modern scrubbers, filters, and catalytic systems can cost tens of millions. Buying paper “credits” from cleaner facilities is far less expensive.

2. It’s allowed by law.

MassDEP permits plants to offset emissions by funding reductions elsewhere. The regional totals may stay within the legal cap, but the local impact around the plant doesn’t change.

3. It avoids stricter rules.

Major equipment changes can trigger a full re-permitting under today’s tougher air standards. Buying offsets helps operators avoid that process.

4. It protects short-term profits.

Many waste-to-energy plants are nearing the end of their lifespan. Instead of reinvesting in cleaner technology, it’s cheaper to buy credits and keep operating as-is.

5. Communities still breathe the same air.

Offsets don’t fix local air quality. They only balance the numbers on paper. The environmental justice communities near the Saugus incinerator continue to carry that burden.

For a facility sitting inside a state-protected wetland system and surrounded by homes, schools, and the Rumney Marsh, these choices matter. What do you think? Should a dirtier facility be able to buy credits from a more efficient facility?