Jul 20, 2007 - 03:38 PM

By Jillian Follert

OSHAWA -- A company looking to build an ethanol plant in Durham Region has set its sights on the Oshawa waterfront.

FarmTech Energy Corporation has spent the past year studying possible sites for a plant, which would convert corn into ethanol for use as a gasoline additive.

In terms of logistics, FarmTech president Dan O'Connor says the Port of Oshawa is the preferred site, because it provides access to shipping.

While he is aware many in Oshawa are hoping to move away from industry at the waterfront, Mr. O'Connor stresses many of the negative connotations associated with ethanol are completely outdated.

"Because it's an additive to gasoline, many people lump them together. But, it's actually a very natural process," he says. "If you're going to have industry, it's the cleanest industry you can have."

Mayor John Gray met with Mr. O'Connor last Tuesday and will be touring an ethanol plant in Sarnia later this summer. But, that doesn't mean he supports the idea.

"My gut reaction is, I'm opposed to an ethanol plant at the lake," the mayor said. "But part of my due diligence is to collect information and learn more about the ethanol process before I decide anything."� According to the mayor, FarmTech would need support from the City to move forward, because the land would have to be rezoned.

Mr. O'Connor said a plant would benefit Oshawa by bringing in 50 direct jobs, 650 indirect jobs and 300 construction jobs during the 20-month building process.

As well, area growers would supply the plant and it would be owned by a co-op consisting of community members.

He also insists it wouldn't smell or harm the environment, as many people assume.

The FarmTech president says today's thermal oxidizers have eliminated the odour issue, while modern ethanol plants only create two byproducts -- carbon dioxide and dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) -- both of which can be utilized so no waste is left over.

He says a plant in Oshawa would send DDGS to local farmers to feed area livestock, while carbon dioxide produced during fermentation would be captured and sold to the food and beverage industry. The ethanol itself would be sold as an additive to gasoline, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars. The federal government has mandated that all gasoline must contain 5 per cent ethanol by 2010.

But even clean, environmentally friendly industry is still industry and some people are opposed to adding any more to the waterfront.

"I'm extremely upset about it," said Larry Ladd, chairman of the Marina Users Committee. "This will ruin the Second Marsh, the waterfront and any hope for the marina."� Mr. Ladd and his group have spent recent months fighting an application to build a rail spur at the harbour and say this is just another attempt to cement industry on that land.

Also concerned is Councillor Brian Nicholson, whose ward includes the waterfront. He says ethanol has environmental benefits, but doesn't think a plant would necessarily be a good fit at the waterfront.

"The question is location. If they're just looking for 30 acres, we have other sites in Oshawa that might be better," he said. "We need a lot more information to understand the impact this would have... but it's not a non-impact process, no matter what some people say."