www.elmiraindependent.com/news.php?id=1328 -
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Published on: 2/20/2009
Last Visited: 2/20/2009
Earl Brubacher, a spokesman with Bio-En, said that the facility will provide renewable energy, by using food waste that would normally end up in a landfill.
The proposed facility would make use of anaerobic digestion to break down the food waste, and turn it into methane - which can then be used to power a generator, adding electricity to the power grid.
At full operation, the plant could expect to generate up to 2,850 kilowatts of electricity - enough to power more than 2,200 homes in Elmira.
"This is something that happens in nature every day," said Brubacher.
"It's part of nature."
It's also carbon-neutral, said Brubacher, which means that any carbon generated by the process will be recycled through the system.
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Brubacher said while he understands the concerns, residents should not worry.
The building that is being planned would operate under negative air pressure, and trucks would not unload until they have entered the building.
And, Brubacher noted, it would not be in his company's best interests to let any methane escape from the facility - "definitely not, that's dollars to us."
The end product would be no smellier than compost in a composter, said Brubacher.
"If you are composting properly, compost shouldn't smell."
The proposed facility, which will take up three to four acres and cost $12 million to build, will likely create only a few jobs, said Brubacher, since its operation is not labour-intensive.
Approval still needs to be granted by the Ministry of Environment, which is requiring that Bio-En hold a public meeting, to give Elmira residents a chance to share concerns about the proposal.
"All of these concerns will be taken into consideration," said Brubacher.
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