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Santa Cruz Sentinel August 25th, 2003
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Trash-to-energy plan draws heat By BRIAN SEALS A county study on a potential regional waste-to-energy plant has a San Francisco environmental group and some Moss Landing residents steamed. The feasibility study approved by the county Board of Supervisors in May wasn’t scheduled to be completed and addressed by board members until February. But the group Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice wants the study stopped in its tracks. They plan to attend Tuesday’s supervisors meeting to ask the board to scrap the study and find other energy options. The matter isn’t on the board’s agenda, but the group plans to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. They passed out fliers earlier this week in Moss Landing alerting residents of the study and possibility of a new plant. In May, Supervisor Jeff Almquist urged the board to study the possibility of a plant that converts trash into power, with Monterey and San Benito counties as possible partners and the former National Refractories plant in Moss Landing as a potential site. Proponents of waste-to-energy technology say the process can reduce pressure on landfills and be operated in an environmentally sound fashion. And, backers say, the energy can be sold. However, Bradley Angel of Greenaction said the process releases dioxins and metals that at any level make the process undesirable. He said the study should be stopped. High levels of dioxins are known to cause health problems such as cancer. "This is opening a Pandora’s box and a can of worms," Angel said. He said the group was willing to work with the county to find other solutions. To further complicate matters, a Monterey County official said last week his county isn’t interested in the plan. "Monterey County has not been involved in this discussion at all," Monterey County Supervisor Lou Calcagno said. "We’re not acceptable to it." When presenting the plant idea, Almquist cited the challenges in finding a replacement for the aging Buena Vista dump, which is estimated to have 15 years of capacity left. He said Friday he just wants to look at a range of alternatives. "The charge to our Public Works Department was to study all the available technologies," Almquist said. Thus far, the county is still getting information from the companies that build such facilities, said Patrick Matthews, county solid waste manager. He said Greenaction’s concerns are being taken seriously and the county is obtaining emissions information as it proceeds with the study. "That’s one of the things we’re requesting from the industry," Matthews said. "That will be part of our report." One process used in the industry calls for creating fuel by burning garbage. The heat fuels a water boiler and the steam that comes from it powers a turbine generator that produces electricity. The process produces ash that must be disposed. Another process, called thermal depolymerization, hastens the decomposition process with heat and pressure, sort of like a big digestive system. In pitching the study to colleagues, Almquist pointed to a facility in Onondaga County, N.Y., where more than 1 million tons of garbage is processed within state environmental requirements. The Los Angeles County Sanitation District operates two such facilities that were built in the 1980s. Joe Hafaw, public information officer for the district, said the plant uses a trio of processes that minimize air impacts. Meanwhile, an ad hoc committee continues to study creating a new landfill when Buena Vista reaches capacity. ©2003 Santa Cruz Sentinel |