Turning waste into energy

The Sherman Hub held a special meeting tonight for members of the public to learn more about a proposed waste gasification plant. The facility could be built at Pier 15 on Hamilton’s Sherman Avenue North.

Bob Clark from the U.S. company that wants to build the plant explained that his technology is green.

It would use a gas plasma technology to divert waste from landfills and could manage up to 200,000 tonnes of industrial and commercial waste, every year. And that waste would all be sourced solely from within Hamilton.

Residents asked questions about pollution and contamination. Clark said there is virtually no pollution and the risk of contamination is low. He says his company is prepared to pass every emissions test required.

Here’s what one resident told me she got out of the meeting.

Ruthy Taylor lives in the area: “The gasification plant is not an incinerator, which is a very big deal to most people because we all know how bad SWARU was. But he technology is so new. If it can work.”

Laurence Smink, Sherman Hub: “I think it’s generally curiosity most people really they want to understand how its going to impact the community.”

Bob Clark, Port Fuels & Material Services Inc.: “I want to take all the recyclables and use all the recyclables. I want to transition what currently goes to landfills today, on a non-hazardous basis, into a reusable fuel source.”

The early cost for this plant is 100 million dollars. The permit still has to be approved and that won’t happen before next March.