Maximum standards should be used for incinerator, say residents

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News > Clarington

Maximum standards should be used for incinerator, say residents

Thu Apr 24, 2008

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By Jennifer Stone
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One delegation booted, two required to write apology letters

One anti-incineration delegation was booted from Monday's council meeting, and he and another speaker must write apology letters prior to being allowed to speak to council again, as a result of comments made at the podium.

Orono resident Jim Richards was asked by Mayor Jim Abernethy to rescind a comment labelling Regional Chairman Roger Anderson a "bully". When he refused, the mayor told him his delegation was over.

Then, Scugog resident Barry Bracken took the podium. He, too, referenced the Regional Chairman.

"Mr. Anderson and his cronies are bent on moving this project on without appropriate consultation," said Mr. Bracken of the proposed incinerator.

The criticism was not well-received by the mayor, who at that point, gave Mr. Bracken a warning, and asked him to retract his statement, which he did. He was again asked to retract when he said Clarington's Regional Councillors were acting "like sheep."

"I guess I can, but you might not like what I have to say next," said Mr. Bracken.

"Then, your delegation is over," said Mayor Abernethy, who later moved that both men must "write a letter of apology to council before making any further delegations to this council."

"Don't hold your breath," said Mr. Richards from the gallery, at which point, the mayor kicked him out.

The letter requirement left one councillor confused.

"This seems fairly extraordinary," Councillor Adrian Foster said. "I have spoken to Mr. Richards (previously) about phrase and tone. But what was so heinous to bring the wrath of council down? I didn't find the comments so distasteful."

But, a message must be sent, the mayor said.

"I'm asked for an apology," he said. "What we're trying to do is bring the level of decorum back to our council chambers.

"It's important that people come in and voice their opinion, but when they start to discredit other individuals, and use this council as a platform for it, I don't think it's wise for us to allow it to continue."

CLARINGTON -- If you're going to build an incinerator, build the best, says a delegation to Clarington council.

A Regional motion passed in January calling for the project team looking into building an incinerator in Courtice to use the most modern and state-of-the-art emissions control technologies available.

But, that's not what an emissions criteria report, brought forward earlier this month and accepted by the Durham-York Joint Waste Management Group, actually ensures, said Newcastle resident Wendy Bracken. Only of few of the "chemicals of concern" that would be emitted from an incinerator will be monitored continuously, according to the report.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is not the state-of-the-art, maximum achievable technology you were promised and which is essential to the protection of our health," said Ms. Bracken during Monday's Clarington council meeting.

Not only that, but the report reflects 2000 European Union acceptable levels, which will "be 10 years old by the time this facility will be built, and will be outdated -- they do not represent the maximum achievable control and monitoring technology being realized by the best state-of-the-art facilities, nor do they look at where standards are being improved," Ms. Bracken said.

Continuous emissions testing must be done, though the report said some items will only be tested quarterly or semi-annually, Ms. Bracken said. Not only will that make it so spikes in emissions won't necessarily be noted, but since the operator will be given advance notice of the testing, "they can set up for a cleaner burn," she said.

There will be room in any incinerator built to incorporate new technology that becomes available, said Regional Councillor Mary Novak. But, it's not an issue of waiting for better technology to come forward -- it's already out there and in use in Europe, at an incinerator in the Isle of Man, said Ms. Bracken.

"It's existing, it's in place, there are places that have it," Ms. Bracken said. "Regional council committed to state of the art, best available technology. What I'm saying, and the Isle of Man is one example, is that the best available technology is being used now, and that's not part of (Durham-York's) plan now."