County double-crossed

Last week, Waste Management Inc. announced plans for a small-scale plasma arc gasification facility for processing municipal solid waste to be in operation late this year at their Columbia Ridge site (Arlington). This demonstrates a radical change in position on this technology for both Waste Management and the two Yamhill County commissioners, Lewis and George. After a presentation by Waste Management on this new facility, both commissioners were quoted as saying they “liked” what they heard.

Last March at the Riverbend rezoning hearing, I represented Waste Not of Yamhill County and presented detailed evidence of plasma arc gasification as a viable alternative to landfilling that deserved an opportunity to be explored for Yamhill County. Specifically, I noted that St. Lucie County, Fla., after three years of intensive research, had approved and will build a plasma arc plant to handle their daily incoming waste stream and remediate their existing landfill within 18 years. Were the commissioners listening then? It appears not.

At that same March hearing, Waste Management, which surely was completely aware of this technology’s potential, chose to strongly criticize it as an option now and for the foreseeable future. Now, they are acting as if it is some newly discovered idea of their own and touting its benefits. Adding further insult, they have chosen to implement their “proof of concept” plant at Arlington, not in Yamhill County. This cost Yamhill County those newly created jobs that facility requires for both construction and operation.

The good news is now that Waste Management Inc. has endorsed plasma arc gasification, it is very difficult for anyone to pretend that this technology is not a viable alternative that deserves further consideration. It’s just sad it’s not happening in Yamhill County.

Susan Meredith
McMinnville