A landfill in the sky doesn’t seem like a highly favourable future. Metro Vancouver has spent the last weeks on public consultation across the region and through the FVRD to share information, and call for public feedback on their draft solid waste management plan that includes WTE (incineration/burning combustion of garbage) as the way to deal with trash. Metro cites the ‘success’ of these incinerators in Europe as indicators of future success in BC. Then you talk to people like the Chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District, Patricia Ross, who explains the farce that this statement really is. According to Ross, across Europe there have been bans of incinerators, calls for bans, and shut downs because they haven’t lived up to their promise.

Personally, I don’t think I can argue the possible merits and issues of incinerators internationally, but I will say that this form of ‘waste management’ is wrong for this area. We are in one of the most sensitive airsheds in the world. Metro Vancouver realizes there is money to be made on the power, and even though incinerators according to the Western Canada WIlderness Committee, emit more CO2 than a coal fired power plant, Metro is still pushing for their draft plan. At Abbey Arts on May 15th, they presented a sales pitch-like talk, one of which a citizen speaker commented on, saying he was getting ready for them to bring out steaknives because of the blatant sales pitch nature of what was supposed to be a public consultation.

At the end of the day, WTE in this region will mean endangered air quality, in addition to a huge capital investment of which the Fraser Valley will likely have to contribute to significantly while bearing the brunt of the emissions. I urge all of you to find out more about this issue on ZERO WASTE BC and email Waste.Incinerators@WriteWild.net . This correspondence will go to Metro and also Environment Minister Barry Penner who will be presented will all information by July 14th.

Local Canadian idol and Abbotsford resident Shane Wiebe has just joined the campaign against Waste to Energy by recording the new song LandFill in the Sky. Let’s ensure that the Fraser Valley doesn’t have to “SUCK IT UP SO THEY CAN POWER UP!”
On June 16th at 6:00, Metro Vancouver will be doing their last presentation in the Fraser Valley. Mayor Sharon Gaetz and other leaders in opposition to WTE will be hosting a rally before the start of the event. Come on out and share you voice!

Here is a video from Metro’s presentation in Abbotsford:
Abbotsford News Article and Video