Maximum standards should be used for incinerator, say residents

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2000 European Union acceptable levels, which will "be 10 years old by the time this facility will be built, and will be outdated -- they do not represent the maximum achievable control and monitoring technology being realized by the best state-of-the-art facilities, nor do they look at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."

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