Time to rethink incineration plan
Dear Editor:
Now is the time to stop Metro's plan to burn 700,000 tonnes of our garbage every year for 50 years. Before we commit ourselves irrevocably - to burning our children's resources, wasting their fossil fuels on destruction, polluting them and their life-support ecosystems, accelerating climate change.
Nanaimo doesn't want our garbage. A thousand people turned up at their city council meeting, resulting in a unanimous vote against the proposal to burn 380,000 tons of our garbage every year at Duke Point. Coquitlam wants a business case. Vancouver is opposed.
Metro directors cast 49 votes against, 63 votes for, waste-to-energy incineration. Hundreds of Lower Mainland residents spoke against it at the public hearings. First Nations are opposed. Fraser Valley Regional District is considering legal action. Environment and community organizations are opposed.
The five-year "comprehensive performance review" of Metro's plan, due next year, is a chance to take a second look. Metro can: Fast-forward to that review, do it now. Put a hold on the contract process. Hear the public on the problems with their plan. Hold hearings on alternatives to burning: energy and resource efficiency: 90 per cent recycling and local remanufacturing. Hold a second vote, with at least two-thirds majority to pass.
Our mayors and councillors represent us on Metro's board of directors. B.C.'s environment minister, premier, and opposition leader also need our input. .
For a future,
Hildegard Bechler, New Westminster
