Thank you, Kevin Ma, for your timely and thoughtful article entitled “City to pilot waste-to-energy tech” in the April 6 Gazette. People should read it.
I am concerned that our council is considering a pilot waste-to-energy complex. Adding such a huge unknown to a city with infrastructure maintenance and repair currently underfunded is puzzling. To enter this arena looking to make a profit is really a gutsy move; what could go wrong?
It seems to me that the private sector, forced to shut in coal-fired power plants, must have considered retrofitting existing plants to burn municipal waste. They are converting some to gas-fired operations so it is a logical step to consider municipal waste. If the professionals cannot see a way forward, why would we want to fund the experiment?
Interestingly, I was involved in a waste to energy proposal some 20 years ago that did not proceed through the appraisal process. We were looking to use municipal waste as fuel in a shut in power plant close to a major city. I do not expect much has changed since then. Heavy metals in the flue stack and poor combustion efficiency of the feed however it is constituted, will still be but a few of the formidable challenges.
I really wish our council was more interested in moving the brown garbage to once per week pickup at no extra cost now that the blue bags are all but useless. Now that seems doable!
I am thankful for your combined efforts, I really am. And I know there are many fine people working for the City of St. Albert who care very much about providing excellent service. I would ask our elected representatives to please remember you are a municipal government running a large “not for profit” organization.
Brian McClelland, St. Albert
