By The Star Staff
The Ombudsman of Puerto Rico, Edwin García Feliciano, revealed Sunday the results of a probe that uncovered a worrying picture in the management and disposal of discarded tires by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER).
The investigation covered the period from 2022 to June 2024. It included visits and interviews at more than 100 tire sales facilities throughout the island and with the companies responsible for the disposal process.
“It is an issue that requires immediate attention to avoid falling into the serious experiences of the past. Affirmative actions are urgently needed before it collapses and becomes a serious environmental crisis and a threat to public health and safety,” the citizens’ ombudsman said.
The full report was delivered to Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia and the legislative leaders.
In summarizing the main findings, García Feliciano said the study found that there are towns in the central region of the island that cannot dispose of tires on a regular basis, indicating a persistent problem there.
The report found that the Discarded Tire Fund was used for purposes unrelated to tire recycling, highlighting significant transfers during the past 10 years.
In 2013 to 2014, legislation was passed to grant $5 million to create the Legal Responsibility Fund for the payment of judgments and claims. In 2015, another transfer was approved to grant $9 million for the Municipal Support Fund, and $800,000 for the Fund for Services and Therapies for Special Education Students.
Between 2015 and 2019, funds from the “surplus” Tire Fund were approved to transfer $17.5 million to a special fund managed by the Financial Oversight and Management Board to pay bondholders.
The investigation found the lack of a tariff study since 1996 and a stable and regularly reviewed tariff framework for tire recycling and export companies. Tire exporting companies are paid at a rate of 9 cents per pound. Meanwhile, companies that carry out the entire process are paid a different amount, which increases to 13.2 cents per pound if they have additional alternatives to export. However, there is no certainty about the future price to be paid to make projections for an industry overwhelmed by operational costs, the ombudsman said.
The DRNA does not have updated figures on tire imports or on the Fund’s income.
Although municipalities have a crucial role in tire collection, they need more funds to fulfill that responsibility.
“This is a particular issue that requires special attention since municipalities are at a disadvantage in terms of the economic situation in order to meet the needs of citizens and also to deal with the problems of tire disposal, which represents a very heavy burden in these circumstances,” García Feliciano said.
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