New Bedford residents attended the hearing at the Suffolk County Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts, where CLF attorneys argued on their behalf in opposition to a proposed massive trash facility. Photo: Adilson González Morales
September 3, 2026 (Boston, MA) – Attorneys presented arguments on Thursday on behalf of a group of New Bedford residents seeking to uphold the Board of Health’s decision to reject a massive trash-handling facility proposed by South Coast Renewables (formerly Parallel Products).
“When this project was first proposed in 2019, it seemed like a foregone conclusion,” said Wendy Morrill, president of South Coast Neighbors United. “The proposed project was a massive waste facility that would have had a lasting detrimental impact on our community and our environment. But residents didn’t simply accept that outcome. They came together, they researched, organized, testified, asked questions, wrote letters, made phone calls, and showed up over and over again.”
For more than six years, New Bedford residents fought the proposal that would have handled up to 1,500 tons of waste a day, bringing more heavy truck traffic, odor, noise, and air pollution to a community already overburdened by industrial impacts – including two Superfund sites.
“New Bedford already has higher than average cancer and asthma rates,” said Tracy Wallace, vice president of South Coast Neighbors United. “No one should have to live in fear of what kinds of impacts industrial operations are going to have on their health, their wellbeing, and their quality of life.”
The New Bedford Board of Health listened to the community and said no to the proposed facility. Now, South Coast Renewables is asking the court to overturn that decision. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is representing New Bedford residents in court to defend the hard-won victory. CLF staff attorneys Jillian Aicher and Suhasini Ghosh told Judge Jackie A. Cowin during the hearing in Suffolk County Superior Court that the Board of Health’s consideration of environmental justice was proper and the Board found enough evidence to rightfully deny the proposed facility.
About a dozen residents and advocates gathered at the courthouse for the hearing in the case South Coast Renewables, LLC v. New Bedford Board of Health. Judge Cowin heard arguments and a ruling is expected later.
Experts are available for further comment.
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