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In a landmark decision on August 23, 2025, the New Hampshire Superior Court ruled in favor of the environmental advocacy group Green Earth Alliance in their lawsuit against the state’s Department of Environmental Services over the approval of a controversial landfill expansion project.The project, proposed by Waste Management Inc., sought to expand the capacity of the Turnpike Landfill in Rochester, New Hampshire, by over 50%. The expansion was met with fierce opposition from local residents and environmental groups who raised concerns about the potential negative impacts on air and water quality, as well as the overall health and well-being of the community.Green Earth Alliance, represented by a team of environmental lawyers, challenged the Department of Environmental Services’ decision to grant the necessary permits for the landfill expansion. The group argued that the department had failed to adequately consider the potential environmental and public health impacts of the project, as required by state law.After months of legal arguments and hearings, Judge Sarah Thompson issued a ruling in favor of Green Earth Alliance, declaring that the Department of Environmental Services had indeed failed to properly assess the potential impacts of the landfill expansion. The judge ordered the department to revoke the permits issued to Waste Management Inc. and to conduct a more thorough review of the project’s potential environmental impacts.The decision was met with cheers and applause from members of Green Earth Alliance and other environmental activists who had been fighting against the expansion of the Turnpike Landfill for years. In a statement following the ruling, Green Earth Alliance’s executive director, Sarah Collins, praised the court’s decision as a victory for both the environment and the community.“This ruling sends a clear message that the health and well-being of our communities must come first,” said Collins. “We are grateful to the court for recognizing the importance of protecting our air and water quality, and we are hopeful that this decision will set a precedent for future environmental litigation in our state.”The Department of Environmental Services has not yet publicly commented on the ruling and it remains to be seen how they will proceed in light of the court’s decision. Waste Management Inc. also has the option to appeal the ruling to a higher court.Overall, the ruling in favor of Green Earth Alliance represents a significant win for environmental advocacy in New Hampshire and serves as a reminder of the power of legal action in protecting our natural resources.