LACOMBE,
Alta. (CP) -- Lacombe County decided last week to drop out of the
15-member Central Alberta Waste Management Commission. It was formed to
ensure a supply of garbage for a $100-million Plasco Energy plant
expected to be built in Red Deer County.
"It's a shame they won't be part of it," said
manager Frank Peck after receiving official notice that Lacombe County
is out. "That's a political decision and they're entitled to that."
Without Lacombe County's garbage, the plant will be
scaled back to a 200-tonne-a-day facility from 300 tonnes a day, he
said.
The original intent was to build the smaller plant,
but capacity was expanded when the Lacombe Regional Solid Waste
Authority and its seven municipalities, including Lacombe County, came
on board.
Peck said there is still strong support for
gasification from other members and there are a number of
municipalities waiting to join.
"The commission will still have sufficient garbage
and will be proceeding."
Ottawa-based Plasco said recently it expects to have
details on a construction schedule by November. It's hoped construction
will start next spring and be completed the following year.
Terry Hager, Lacombe County commissioner, said there
was a concern that waste treatment costs could rise above the proposed
$65 per tonne if provincial waste regulations changed.
There was also the possibility that if one of the
members breached its contract with Plasco, a third party such as a
financial institution could seek redress from the commission.
Hager said the county determined the risks were too
high for the municipality, which already has a long-term garbage
disposal agreement at about $20 a tonne.
© Canadian Press