Here's an interesting article I ran across...........communities sending their GARBAGE to an ethanol plant? Is this a case of "GARBAGE FEEDING GARBAGE"?
Hobart supports garbage-to-ethanol plant
By Karen Caffarini Post-Tribune
correspondent June 25, 2012 4:14PM
HOBART — The City Council has
unanimously approved an interlocal agreement to send Hobart-generated garbage
to the Powers Energy ethanol plant in Schneider, if and when it is
constructed, becoming the seventh community to commit to the project.
The
Joint Interlocal Cooperation Agreement is with the Lake County Solid Waste
Management District and the ethanol plant.
Earl
Powers of Evansville-based Powers Energy of America, who would develop and own
the plant, has asked for commitments from communities, saying they could help
him secure necessary funding.
The
Hobart council’s vote last week came after Cliff Duggan, attorney for Lake
County Solid Waste District, answered members’ questions about the feasibility
of the project and the status of other proposed trash-to-ethanol plants.
Duggan
said they should know by July 18 if the plant will be built. That is Powers’
deadline to show he has enough funding to build the plant.
Duggan
said so far six other communities have passed the agreement. The town of
Griffith rejected it; others are pending, he said. The St. John Town Council is
slated to vote on the agreement when it meets Thursday.
Councilman
Pete Mendez, D-2nd, asked how many other trash-to-energy facilities are
running. Duggan said the company has about 46 projects in various stages, and
one in Vero Beach, Fla., is about to start up.
Cost
has been a concern for some communities. Under the agreement, communities would
be able to remove themselves from the agreement if it became prohibitive for
them to continue to participate.
In
other matters, the council approved an interlocal agreement with the Recycling
& Waste Reduction District of Porter County that allows Porter County
residents to utilize the city’s latex paint recycling center.
Public
Works Director John Dubach said at the last council meeting that Porter County
residents will be able to bring in their old paint for free and buy the
recycled paint at the regular $3 a gallon price. All Lake County residents
currently are able to participate in the program.
Mendez
had recommended that out-of-county residents pay more for the paint, saying the
city spent $9,000 for the program and got back $3,000.
Mayor
Brian Snedecor said the initial ordinance provides for the $3 charge.
He
said if it turns out more people bring in paint than purchase it, the Porter
County Recycling and Waste District will be required to reimburse the city at a
cost of $3 per gallon.
“We
could explore the fee again at a later date.This agreement expires on Dec. 31,”
Snedecor said.
He
added the $9,000 expense includes some one-time costs.
"Pete" Landry.......comments welcome at "way2gopete@yahoo.com"
