Morrow changes tune on waterfront waste-to-energy plant

Its still not clear whether the waste-to-energy gasification projects proponents will pursue city zoning permission, orstick with their contentionthat their project is on Port Authority lands and therefore won't need the citys OK.

But while those conversations continue, at least one city councillor has changed his mind about a proposed waste-to-energy gasification plant proposed for Hamiltons industrial waterfront.

A few months ago, Councillor Bob Morrow said hed ask the city to formally oppose a waste-to-energy gasification plant proposed for the waterfront in Ward 3, which Morrow represents.

Now hes been keeping that motion in the wings, postponing but not withdrawing it.

And in the meantime, after sitting through four information meetings and presentations, Morrows changed his mind about the project.

Morrows concerns have been overcome largely during the proponents presentations, he said.

Personally, if I were all by myself I would support it, he said Friday. I think its good science and I think its good for the community, jobs, taxes, everything else.

But, he said, theres an important caveat: He will represent what he perceives to be the majority opinion among his constituents.

But I also am required to represent the people of the ward until December, he said.

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'I plan on fighting this project,' Merulla says

Councillor Sam Merulla in neighbouring Ward 4 expresses none of that equivocation. He fought the citys SWARU incinerator and a biomass gasification plan proposed by Liberty Energy. He said hes looking forward to the battle.

I plan on fighting this project just as strongly, he said.

Hamiltons airshed is already at its pollution limit, he said.

Ive never been in support of any gasification initiative, he said. Anything that contributes to [airshed emissions] even in a so-called minor way exacerbates that issue, he said.

Regardless of what they claim to be state of the art technology, we have no capacity remaining for any type of emissions whatsoever, he added.

If the project proponents would allow the citys public health department to monitor the site in real time and shut it down should it give off any hazardous emissions, Merulla suggested he may reconsider his stance.

Otherwise, hes staunchly opposed. And if Morrow wont bring the motion forward asking the city to oppose the project, Merulla will do it himself next month, he said.

Mayor Bob Bratinasupports the project because it wouldn't incinerate garbage and could relieve the city's landfill of some of its burden, said Bratina's chief of staff, Peggy Chapman.

"The mayor is hoping with some education, that might be able to calm any fears," she said.

Morrow said his personal opinion should not be taken necessarily as how hell vote.

Everything I have heard points to a good project here but again Ill be waiting and watching and listening, he said.

Project head Robert Clark said his team is continuing its environmental permitting applications and completing "about a dozen" site-specific studies for the proposed location. He said expects positive results to come from discussions between the city and the Port, which would be the projects landlord.

Ward 3 candidates on the plant

Since Morrow could be out of office by the time any vote on this project comes to a city vote, CBC Hamilton asked candidates for Ward 3 in October how they line up on the project.

AGAINST:

This is as much about perception as it is emissions, said Bob Assadourian. Ward 3 and the greater Hamilton for that matter, should not be perceived as a garbage dumping and or burning grounds.

Drina Omazic, also running in Ward 3, said she's skeptical of the proponents' claims about the plant's emissions.

"Until we have more information, we are concerned by a facility that may very well add to the existing air quality burden in the neighbourhood," she said.

Another candidate, Matthew Green, suggested the project would send the city backwards. While proponents have said there are no immediate plans to process toxic waste in the plant, some vocal residents fear the plant will move on to that hazardous waste later in the plants life.

With the city having already spent millions to commercially redevelop piers 4 through 8, I can not see how the potential for processing toxic waste fits into our future vision of our waterfront, Green said.

Mark DiMillo, also running for Ward 3, echoed that assessment.

The stigma attached to this type of facility does not fit the progressive planning initiatives of our city moving forward, he said.

Ward 3 candidate Brian Kelly took a more measured stance -- he endorses the technology, but he thinks it's too early in that neighbourhood's revitalization to commit to the project. He rejects the argument that the plant would be "another SWARU."

"I reject this argument completely as the technology is very different but this does say something about the legacy that that operation has etched in peoples minds and the promoters of the project must respect that," Kelly said.

FOR:

Opposing them, candidate Ralph Agostino said hes convinced the project wont give off any emissions that would impact the citys air quality. He supports the project as a job and tax revenue-generator.

After carefully studying the gasification plant I believe it's a win-win situation for the city, he said.

Tim Simmons, also running for Ward 3, supports the project for its jobs and tax creation.

"We wouldsee 30 to 50 new jobs as well as spinoff jobs to support families," Simmons said.

Ward 3 candidates Sean Gibsonand Carlos Pinhodid notrespond torequest for comment Friday.