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Wednesday, June 13, 2012 1937 - 2012 · Celebrating 75 Years Orono Weekly Times - 7 EFW Continued from front smaller projects are being left behind," adding, "This should not be acceptable to council." Doug Anderson president of DurhamCLEAR an environmental advocacy group which is suing the Region in an effort to halt the incinerator project, spoke to council saying, "The total waste volume projected is not anywhere near once thought; staff is curbing recycling." This statement prompted Councillor Bob McLean of Pickering to ask, "Are you suggesting that council is doing something evil?" Citing newspapers, Anderson said, "In 2006 the Region was putting newspaper ads out informing people how to recycle." That practice has changed according to Anderson, who claims Regional staff is doing what they have to do to keep waste between 100 and 110 tonnes. He went on to say, "Any one councillor can ask at anytime for updated numbers for the project." "Are you saying that if we don't ask or don't want to hear the information we are burying our heads in the sand?" Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster asked Anderson, adding "Any councillor can ask for updated information at anytime." After the meeting Foster told the Orono Time s reporter, "There is nothing to be gained from asking for updated information right now. In the fall Regional staff will be presenting updated figures to council." He went on to say "I'm not a big fan of the incinerator, and not of blowing a whole whack of dough either." In her questions to Anderson, Clarington Regional Councillor, Mary Novak asked, "Are you aware of the economic costs that this could have on the Region if we were to stop REDUCE · REUSE RECYCLE the project right now? Are thought it wasn't a waste of you aware of the jobs that money to spend that much have been created because of on becoming more knowlthis?" edgeable. "I don't find that a Doug waste at all, I Anderson find it a waste shot back of $200 million at Novak on a facility like by saying, incinerator." R e c y c l i n g the "Recycling Jim Clapp, the c o u l d could make up ten Commissioner make up percent more jobs of Finance, ten percent informed counmore jobs that the EFW ever cil that this was than the could." the best time to EFW ever take out a loan, ~ Doug Anderson "Interest rates could." Oshawa President, DurhamCLEAR are low, and Councillor with an election Nester in Greece Pidwerbecki became the expected within the next most vocal opponent against week, interest rates could go Anderson's delegation. "You higher." Currently the interrealize that council postest rate is at 6 percent. ``We poned making decisions last can currently get the loan at year to become more 2.3 percent, we are under informed about the project?" strict guidelines to not get a he asked Anderson. "We loan over 2.65 percent." brought in numerous experts Clapp stressed that council in the EFW field. Each had to act now, "while intermonth we delayed the projest rates are low." ect it cost the taxpayers an "[The Region] will extra $1 million a month. already be $102 million into Isn't that a waste of money, the project if we move to asking staff to become more cancel the project, knowledgeable at $1 million Commissioner of Cooperate a month?" Services, Matt Gaskell said Anderson said that he in a interview with Orono Weekly Times on Monday morning. "The Region will be on the hook for about $270 million," Gaskell stated. He added that the actual cost of the cancellation could not be precisely measured because of the numerous factors involved in the project. "The Region has to cover the cost of work that " has been performed by Covanta, the cost of the ordered material, the Region might have to pay back the federal gas tax that was given to help move the project along." Gaskell added that Council might have to pay for some of the costs that the Region of York had incurred during the process as well. "Since this is a partnership agreement we, the Region, cannot just cancel the project. We need to do it with York's Regional Council." Citing Commissioner of Works Cliff Curtis, Mayor Foster told The Times on Monday that it would be cheaper to build the incinerator and abandon it than walk away from the project at this stage. At a Finance Committee meeting last month, the committee was given a report that stated the cost of the incinerator had increased by $11.5 million. That increase includes new host community agreement costs, utility connections at the EFW site, the new HST and inflation. The EFW has been reported as being on budget and on schedule to open in late 2014. All three Clarington Regional Councillors voted in favour of borrowing the extra money to move the project forward. Do you think you have a drinking problem? We can help! ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 905-728-1020 www.aaoshawa.org