Today's letters: Modern 'waste-to-energy' technology helps the climate

Wednesday, May 31: More on the City of Ottawa's challenges as the Trail Road dump fills up. You can write to us too, at letters@ottawacitizen.com

The Trail Road Waste Facility is nearing capacity, and the city needs to find new solutions for our garbage. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

Waste-to-energy can work well

Re: Letter, Waste-to-energy won’t work well, May 13.

The criticism of Randall Denley’s suggestion that waste-to-energy may be part of our solid-waste solution is well intended but reflects perceptions based on the technology of the ’50s and ’60s. While Canadian cities dithered, Europeans advanced the technology, adopted architecture that the public could be proud of, greatly reduced landfill requirements and used the energy to make electricity and heat. With these advances, facilities are now located close to urban centres, providing heating for cities, displacing fossil fuels and making significant reductions in GHGs.

Leading environmentally conscious cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm and Vienna all adopted waste-to-energy facilities and are justly proud of what they have achieved. Copenhagen uses its “Copenhill” facility as an urban ski hill and Vienna’s Spittelau facility is an architectural  masterpiece, drawing people from all over the world. They have been operating for a long time, some for decades, and continue to generate benefits for society.

We have a choice. Stop wasting energy in our municipalities and deal with the climate crisis, or continue hoping that after many years of 3Rs and landfill, we will suddenly turn things around. As Mark Carney recently said, “Once society has set a goal, it is profitable to be part of the solution and terminal to remain part of the problem.”

Let’s set a goal and be part of the solution. More dithering won’t help.

Michael Wiggin, Ottawa

Identify a new landfill site

Ottawa Council recently voted to explore incineration technologies as a solution to the rapidly filling Trail Road landfill. It is also mulling whether to adopt a bag tag system to encourage residents to reduce waste. Bag tags are a short-term Band-Aid. In addition, it is prudent to explore incineration technologies, although cautiously, with an eye to identifying emerging ways of capturing and scrubbing toxins so that they are not released.

What is missing in developing options to address Ottawa’s waste management is to also search for and identify a
location for Ottawa’s next landfill. This challenge is significant, and may require a dedicated a task force. If council continues to avoid dealing with it, the risk is
that the option itself may expire.

If safe incineration technology does not emerge in a timely way, and the city has not laid the groundwork for a future landfill, residents will be cornered into adopting a waste solution that may harm our health.

Exploring new landfill options is an essential pillar to the city’s 2024 Solid Waste Master Plan.  All it takes is for one councillor to make a motion, and council to direct that this important work be started now.

Carrie Zatychec, Nepean

Bad-behaviour bill goes too far

Re: Mayor, city council urging province to back bill, May 27.

There is certainly an argument for removing misbehaving councillors for bad behaviour. But blocking them from running for re-election for two terms is arbitrary and a step too far. The voters can decide if the penalty is sufficient and when it’s time to reboot. If the bad behaviour continues into another term, remove them again.

Robin Collins, Ottawa

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Football news:

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Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

3:12 Hamilton to seek veto over landfill applications amid odour issue in Stoney Creek
3:09 WRHA palliative home care on good path after failures, review recommendations: advocate
3:07 Averted disaster on Horizon flight renews scrutiny on mental health of those in cockpit
2:57 Averted disaster on Horizon Air flight renews scrutiny on mental health of those in the cockpit
2:56 Vancouver Island jewelry dealer targeted by thieves for 22nd time
2:54 French-language universities back English counterparts in criticizing tuition hike for non-Quebec students
2:51 Maggie Mac Neil makes Pan Am Games history with fifth gold medal
2:51 Georgia restaurant’s ‘bad parenting fee’ eats away at some customers
2:17 Raptors tip off Rajakovic era by spreading out offence to top T-Wolves
2:16 Schroder leads new-look Raptors to win
2:15 Dennis Schroder leads new-look Raptors to season-opening 97-94 win over Timberwolves
2:08 Arnold Schwarzenegger says he’d make ‘great president,’ but calls for ‘young blood’ in 2024
1:53 Some charges stayed against Vancouver escort
1:48 Vancouver man accused in Chinatown graffiti spree heads to court
1:43 At least 16 dead in Maine shooting, law enforcement sources say
1:43 At least 16 dead after shootings at bar, bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine
1:38 ‘LOCK DOWN’: Active shooter in Lewiston, Maine; cops investigating multiple scenes
1:38 ‘LOCK DOWN’: At least 10 dead in Maine shooting, number expected to rise
1:38 At least 16 dead in Maine shooting and dozens injured, cops say
1:30 Bank of Canada holds interest rate: What this means for British Columbians
1:30 At least 10 dead in Maine shooting and number expected to rise, law enforcement officials tell AP
1:30 At least 16 dead in Maine shooting and dozens injured, law enforcement officials tell AP
1:29 No, 1 pick Victor Wembanyama is set to debut with the San Antonio Spurs and the world is watching
1:29 No, 1 pick Victor Wembanyama debuts with the Spurs and the world is watching
1:27 Mom who killed kids in Idaho will be sent to Arizona to face murder charges
1:25 Active shooter reported in Maine, police investigating multiple scenes
1:19 King Township man charged after 3-D printed handgun, other weapons seized
1:17 Would-be hit men sentenced to 10 years for 2020 Vancouver shooting
1:16 Thousands of Las Vegas hotel workers fighting for new union contracts rally, block Strip traffic
1:16 Union workers arrested on Las Vegas Strip for blocking traffic as thousands rally
1:15 Calgary’s housing crisis: Those left behind share their stories
1:11 Imprisoned ‘apostle’ of Mexican megachurch La Luz del Mundo charged with federal child pornography
1:10 Police to detonate suspicious package ‘shortly’ in city’s north end
1:07 FIQ healthcare union votes to strike Nov. 8-9
1:07 St. Lawrence Seaway strike concerns politicians, stakeholders in Hamilton and Niagara
1:04 U.S. autoworkers reach deal with Ford, breakthrough toward ending strikes
1:02 Calgary police chief unaware honour guard attended controversial prayer breakfast, but ‘not surprised’
1:00 Laura Jones: Regulation should be about improving our quality of life while minimizing red tape
0:58 Montreal hosting government, community groups, law enforcement in gun violence forum
0:50 Two arrested in Kelowna homicide investigation: RCMP
0:49 Mom convicted of killing kids in Idaho will be sent to Arizona to face murder conspiracy charges
0:47 B.C. residents split on future of provincial carbon tax: poll
0:34 Do you know Slim? B.C. RCMP seek person of interest in fatal Sparwood shooting
0:32 B.C. mother-daughter jewelry designing team featured in Rolls-Royce book
0:30 The U.S. House has a speaker. What does that mean for Israel, Ukraine aid?
0:22 Héma-Québec adding new virtual experience to boost number of blood donors
0:22 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 26, 2023
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0:16 Teens charged with retired cop’s murder accused of flipping off his kin in court
0:13 Dusty Baker tells newspaper he is retiring as manager of Houston Astros
0:09 UAW, Ford reach tentative deal to end weeks-long strike: sources
0:09 Volunteers harvest thousands of eggs as salmon return to South Surrey river
0:03 LILLEY: Canada’s Jewish community feels like it is under assault
0:02 Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown, charged with killing mother, denied release
23:56 $15 million class-action lawsuit brought against York University and student union
23:55 Ex-NBA star Dwight Howard denies sexual assault suit filed by Georgia man
23:54 Quebec taxpayers shouldn't completely bail out Montreal-area transit companies: Guilbault
23:54 Lethbridge training exercise sees emergency responders practice responding to large crowds
23:51 Driver in Malibu crash that killed 4 college students charged with murder
23:47 Canada to send additional humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh, Gaza, West Bank and Israel
23:45 Hurricane Otis unleashes massive flooding in Acapulco, triggers landslides
23:44 MANDEL: Nygard tells court no one could be locked inside his bedroom suite
23:41 North Vancouver architecture team designs Indigenous-inspired buildings that blend with nature
23:41 Airports see surge in asylum claims after border, visa requirement changes
23:37 Vaughn Palmer: David Eby makes no apologies for calling for halt to interest rate hikes
23:35 Housing crisis bears down on some of Calgary’s most vulnerable
23:35 'I will never look at myself as a murderer,' says man convicted of St-Laurent murder
23:34 Mac Neil leads another big day in the pool for Canada at Pan Am Games
23:27 Hydro-Quebec rates ‘never’ to increase above 3 per cent, premier promises
23:27 Pro-Palestinian protesters call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza at rally in Ottawa
23:26 TransLink faces $4.7 billion financial void by 2033 without funding change
23:21 Guy Favreau shelter could be granted winter reprieve, says city
23:15 Deer scatters diners after charging into crowded Wisconsin restaurant
23:09 Emergency homeless shelter at The Gathering Place: New Beginnings continues operations
23:02 Alberta premier promises firm exit number before referendum on CPP
23:01 Professor who called Hamas slaughter ‘exhilarating’ on leave
23:01 B.C. and Washington State agree to address Nooksack River flooding, set no timeline or obligations
22:59 Gregoire Trudeau ‘re-partnered’ months before separation announced: Report
22:58 Maple Leaf notes: Ontario Sports Hall of an honour for Shanahan and more video victories
22:57 Canadian connection: Timberwolves’ Miller learning NBA ropes from Alexander-Walker
22:57 Okanagan MLA Ben Stewart not seeking re-election in 2024
22:56 Mac Neil becomes Canada’s most decorated Pan Am Games athlete with fifth gold medal
22:55 Saskatoon green cart material to be processed in-house, temporarily lowering costs
22:51 A Montrealer by choice, Restaurant Gus chef shows what out-of-province students can contribute
22:50 Hate crimes against Jews and Muslims on the rise since Hamas attack
22:47 Federal officials say plan for water cuts from 3 Western states is enough to protect Colorado River
22:47 Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown, charged with killing mother, has been denied release
22:44 Seaway strike puts Saskatchewan’s international reputation at risk, producers say
22:36 Behind the concerns and complex feelings some Indigenous audiences have about Killers of the Flower Moon
22:34 Michigan State hearing officer rules Mel Tucker sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, AP source says
22:32 CPKC lowers earnings expectations due to ‘economic headwinds,’ port workers strike
22:31 ‘Fantastic’ pet food drive helps struggling military veterans in Calgary
22:24 Auto theft probe, Project Stallion, trots 228 accused before courts
22:19 Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., killer had a history of intimate partner violence, police say
22:09 Record number of visitors to food banks in Canada renews calls for greater support in Manitoba
22:08 $4.7 billion funding gap could result in major TransLink service cuts: Report
22:02 Rising cost of living putting unprecedented pressure on Canadian food banks
21:58 Turbocharged Otis caught forecasters and Mexico off-guard. Scientists aren’t sure why
21:58 Chretien reflects on 30th anniversary of election win, says House has become 'dull as hell'
21:57 Manslaughter charges arise from Saskatoon May suspicious death