For immediate release
September 30, 2019
Proposed garbage incineration plant urgently requires transparency and independent review
NDP Leader Alison Coffin is voicing concerns about a large garbage incineration plant proposed to be built in the town of Lewisporte. Coffin is calling for a full review and more transparency about the proposed project and the Liberal government’s plans to support it.
A company called Synergy World Power wants to import garbage from Europe to burn here in Newfoundland and Labrador in a process involving incineration and “gasification.” The company has made efforts to start similar projects in other places but none have gotten off the ground – rather, similar facilities have been rejected in Ireland, Scotland, and Las Vegas. Coffin says we must consider carefully before running with a project – with unproven technology – that has been rejected in several other places.
“Newfoundland and Labrador cannot become a pollution haven for the world’s garbage,” said Coffin. “Why have these projects failed or been rejected in other countries? There are a lot of unanswered questions about this project.”
“This company’s plan is to profit by burning other countries’ garbage here in our province. We are very concerned about the precedent that could be set by this project, which could pose a challenge for future governments to prevent garbage importation,” Coffin said.
Coffin questions if government has decided to allow for the importation of garbage going forward.
“Is this the best government can do? Government needs to look at other development options for Lewisporte and the region and rethink how it is supporting development in our rural communities.”
“Government needs to make more resources available for grassroots initiatives that are in keeping with a green economy,” Coffin said.
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For further information, contact Zaren Healey White, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (office), 693-9172 (cell), or zarenhealeywhite@gov.nl.ca.