The Plasco saga continues

Only a few days ago we learned that Plasco and the City of Ottawa were poised to sign a long-term deal to develop and operate a garbage-to-energy plant. However that all seems somewhat premature now (Exhaust fumes stall Plasco project, Kate Jaimet, Ottawa Citizen, May 25, 2010).

Firstly I was astounded to learn that the demonstration plant’s five engines that are fueled by the vapourized garbage gas have achieved a total running time of only 85 hours since operations began in January 2008. Apparently the engines have been shut down frequently for extended periods because Plasco has been unable to keep exhaust pollutant levels below provincial ministry limits. The ability of the Plasco technology to work within acceptable limits has always been a concern and now the scope of the problem is becoming clearer.

Some of the concerns I expressed in an earlier post (Plasco Fiasco) appear to hold more than a grain of truth. The concept of converting waste to energy using plasma gas technology is controversial because:

1. it is an unproven technology with potentially dangerous long-term effects resulting for emissions of micro-particles into the atmosphere;
2. it discourages consumers from practicing more environmentally friendly waste conservation methods; also,
3. the cost effectiveness of generating energy from domestic waste in this way remains questionable.

If the city prematurely signs on to a contract with Plasco CEO Rob Bryden it is taking on a huge risk and could well end up with a huge white elephant on its hands. The Plasco Fiasco post also notes that Bryden has a track record using other people’s money to run his businesses, usually managing to run them into the ground or sell them off for a loss.

Ottawa Citizen blog shut down for criticizing Lansdowne-Live?

Rumor has it that Maria Cook’s Ottawa Citizen blog-site on architectural design was shut down this week following a request from OSEG member Roger Greenberg because it included some critical posts and commentary on Lansdowne-Live. Apparently Greenberg also asked that Maria be reprimanded. It has been suggested that Greenberg is scouting all sources for negative comments.
The Citizen has not commented on this apparent blunder but Maria’s blog now appears to be up again. It is unclear if any of the “offending” blog posts have been removed. Does anybody happen to know?

Another last minute attempt to sweeten a bad deal

I agree with Councillor Clive Doucet’s views on the proposed move of the Ottawa Art Gallery to Lansdowne Park (Art gallery at Lansdowne idea a “buy-off” attempt: Doucet, Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, May 12, 2010). This appears to be another ill thought out try at changing public perceptions of the Lansdowne Live proposal. It will be interesting to see the financial implications of this proposal and who will end up paying for it; the tax payers of Ottawa no doubt!

The basic facts have not changed; the Lansdowne Live proposal is a sole source deal that leaves the City of Ottawa carrying the long term risk. Look for more smoke and mirrors when this proposition comes to council this summer.

How many more near misses before there is a catastrophe?

It appears that a potential environmental disaster has been prevented as a result of prompt action by the provincial environment ministry and others (Fire runoff had little impact on creek, inspection shows, Kristy Nease, Ottawa Citizen, May 5, 2010). A large fire burned through some 800 crushed cars at a scrap metal yard close to Green’s Creek over the past weekend. Green’s Creek flows through a large environmental conservation area downstream of this scrap yard. Officials appear to be satisfied with clean-up efforts so far, so hopefully a potential disaster has been avoided.

The bigger questions now are:

- Why do zoning regulations allow a scrap yard facility to be located adjacent to a creek that runs into a conservation area?
- Don’t environmental assessments look at issues like this?
- Why were effective risk mitigation measures not put in place?
- Was an EA ever conducted?
- How many more environmentally sensitive areas are at risk in the city?

The city conducts many EAs but near disasters continue to occur. Assessments don’t seem to be worth the paper they are written on. Rather, they appear to be used to address political and business agendas of councillors, staff and developers.

Progress on the Terry Fox Drive agenda?

It was pleasing to read that Ottawa forests and greenspace advisory committee is asking city council to put construction of the Terry Fox Drive Extension on hold, pending a more thorough environmental review (Advisory committee votes to hold Terry Fox extension, Kate Jaimet, Ottawa Citizen, April 27, 2010).

I’m not holding my breath however! It seem unlikely that planning and environment committee will agree to this request. It is even less likely that city council will agree. It’s just too much to expect the city to give serious consideration to environmental concerns if it results in having to turn down funding from Canada’s Economic Action (stimulus) Plan.

This is yet another example of a tight and inflexible completion date for projects funded under this initiative - encouraging municipalities to take risky decisions that they, communities and tax payers will have to deal with for years to come.