District 9 Race: Larry Bennett Supports Harrison Sludge Plant

As voters prepare to cast their ballots in Early Voting and on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the Democratic Primary Election for Hudson County Commissioner in District 9, one issue has emerged as a sharp point of distinction among the three candidates seeking the seat: the Environmental Protection Agency's controversial proposal to establish a sludge processing facility on the Harrison waterfront.

The proposed facility is part of the EPA's long-term effort to clean up the Lower Passaic River and the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site. Under the current proposal, contaminated sediment would be dredged from the river, brought to a remediated PSE&G property in Harrison, dewatered, mixed with Portland cement for stabilization, and then transported to disposal facilities elsewhere in the country.

The sediment targeted for removal contains dioxin and other hazardous contaminants associated with decades of industrial pollution in the Passaic River. Dioxin, a toxic compound linked to the production of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, has been associated with cancer, reproductive harm, and other serious health concerns.

While all three candidates acknowledge the need to clean up the Passaic River, they differ sharply on where the processing operation should occur.

Bennett Supports EPA Plan

Harrison Councilman Larry Bennett, who is seeking election as Hudson County Commissioner, is the only candidate in the race to have publicly expressed support for the EPA's proposed Harrison site.

His position stands in contrast to fellow candidates Alex Valdez and Mina Ekladious, both of whom have voiced opposition to locating the facility in what has become a residential redevelopment district adjacent to modern apartment buildings and the Harrison PATH Station.

The proposed site is located near the Jackson Street Bridge and the Harrison PATH Station on land that underwent extensive environmental remediation as part of Harrison's decades-long redevelopment effort. According to public discussions about the project, the property had been envisioned for future community-oriented uses, including a community center, park space, and transportation improvements to enhance traffic circulation around the PATH Station.

Valdez Opposes Residential Location

Alex Valdez has called on the EPA to reconsider its current proposal.

"I don't believe that housing the sediment so close to residents is fair, environmentally friendly, or a particularly good use of this land," Valdez stated. "Harrison residents do not deserve this."

Valdez has argued that the EPA should evaluate alternative locations that would place a greater buffer between the processing operation and residential neighborhoods while still allowing the river cleanup project to proceed.

Ekladious Calls for Alternative Site

Candidate Mina Ekladious has also opposed the Harrison location.

Ekladious has stated that the EPA should act responsibly and avoid placing a sludge processing facility within a residential community. He has expressed concern that the project could interfere with future redevelopment plans for the site, including a proposed community center, public park, PATH Station drop-off area, and traffic improvements designed to support the growing Harrison waterfront neighborhood.

Like Valdez, Ekladious has indicated that the cleanup of the Passaic River remains important but believes the processing facility should be located elsewhere.

Long-Running Community Controversy

The EPA proposal has generated significant public opposition from many Harrison residents, particularly those living in the Riverbend and SOHA redevelopment districts.

Critics argue that the plan was originally conceived decades ago, when much of Harrison's southern waterfront remained industrial. Since then, the area has been transformed into a mixed-use residential neighborhood featuring apartment communities, restaurants, hotels, and public infrastructure investments. Opponents contend that the EPA has failed to adequately account for those changes when selecting a location for the processing facility.

EPA officials have maintained that dredged sediment must be brought onto land for processing before final disposal and that the proposed facility would operate with environmental controls and air-monitoring systems. Nevertheless, concerns continue to be raised regarding the proximity of the proposed operation to residential buildings, the PATH Station, and heavily traveled transportation corridors.

A Clear Choice for Voters

For voters in Harrison, Kearny, East Newark, Secaucus, and part of Jersey City that make up District 9, the EPA's proposed sludge processing facility has become one of the clearest policy differences among the candidates seeking the Hudson County Commissioner seat. There is also concern about a proposed garbage facility in Jersey City that affects voters in District 9.

Larry Bennett remains the only candidate supporting the EPA's current Harrison proposal. Alex Valdez and Mina Ekladious have both called for the agency to relocate the facility and pursue alternatives that would allow the Passaic River cleanup to proceed without placing the operation in a residential community.

Voters will decide on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, which candidate will advance to represent District 9 in the November General Election. Early Voting is still available on Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Harrison, Kearny, Secaucus, and Jersey City.