INDEX PCB Digest - 6/24/02
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1) Public Concern Temiskaming - For Immediate Release -6/24/02
MOE Attempts to Squash Accident Reports on PCB Incinerator
2) Public Concern Temiskaming - For Immediate Release - 6/23/02
TCI Plan Could Benefit the North � PCT
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1) Public Concern Temiskaming - For Immediate Release -6/23/02
MOE Attempts to Squash Accident Reports on PCB Incinerator
Kirkland Lake �-Bennett Environmental�s ride through Ontario�s limited EA process just got a little easier. That�s the implication of the MOE�s decision to ignore a damning series of accident reports from Bennett�s existing incinerator at St. Ambroise, Quebec. The MOE has made it clear they will not allow the operating incidents at St. Ambroise to be considered as part of the Ontario EA process -- even though the accident reports clearly contradict statements being made in the company�s EA submission.
Bennett is seeking approval to build what will be the largest incinerator of its kind in Canada. The company is looking to import toxic waste from across North America. Despite the controversial nature of the project, EA Director Michael Williams has stated (in a letter to Liberal MPP David Ramsay) that the company�s record at its existing plant will not be part of the EA review. Opponents say this will gag any potential criticism.
�These accident reports completely contradict the claims made in the EA submission,� says Terry Graves of Public Concern Temiskaming. �Ontario doesn�t conduct Environmental Assessments; they simply help facilitate company-run reviews. The MOE is now actively working to make sure the company doesn�t face any serious scrutiny of this project.�
The MOE maintains that the accident reports are not applicable because they happened in a different jurisdiction. As well, the Ministry claims the Kirkland Lake plant represents a newer class of incineration technology. Graves says this is nonsense. He points out that the Ontario EA submission is based on the fact that the Quebec plant is a similar design to the proposed Kirkland operation.
�If the upsets and accidents at St. Ambroise are not admissible, then none of Bennett�s EA claims can be included,� says Graves. �The EA is based on their record at St. Ambroise. The MOE is attempting to squash the only reasonable yardstick for judging these claims.�
The accident reports present a disturbing picture of blow outs and contamination at the St. Ambroise incinerator. The upset reports range in duration from two minutes to fourteen minute blow outs. These reports contradict EA claims that only six upsets have occurred and that the upsets can be limited to one minute in duration. The company is looking to site the incinerator near a residential neighbourhood and two grade schools.
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2) Public Concern Temiskaming - For Immediate Release - 6/23/02
TCI Plan Could Benefit the North � PCT
Kirk1and Lake - Public Concern Temiskaming is cautiously optimistic about the decision by Trans Cycle Industries to move towards on-site decontamination of PCB contaminated soil. TCI has stated that trucking hundreds of thousands of tonnes of contaminated soil to a fixed site in Kirkland Lake does not make economic or environmental sense.
TCI�s moves comes amidst increasing opposition across north and central Ontario to the prospect of PCB trucking. Barb Bukowski, a PCT spokesperson, says on-site remediation could give Ontarians a safer solution to dealing with contaminated sites.
"TCI bas clearly recognized that the trucking hundreds of thousands of tonnes of toxic waste is a hot issue in this Province. If on-site remediation can be conducted safely and without threat to the people operating the unit then it could provide a viable solution to cleaning up contaminated sites."
Bukowski says the TCI initiative could position Kirkland Lake to finally become part of the "environmental solution".
"If TCI commits to hiring northern workers, then Kirkland Lake would have the benefit of the jobs without our families having to assume the environmental and health risks associated with importing toxic waste. Unfortunately, up until now, we haven't been offering solutions but rather a cheap place to dump and burn."
Bukowski says PCT won't endorse the TCI project until it has had a chance to learn more about the process. However, she is hopeful that the TCI option might offer a less controversial alternative to the increasingly bitter battle over Bennett's plans to import and burn toxic waste from across North America.
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