The Minister of Environment is looking for answers in the case of potentially hazardous ash shipped to the Cache Creek landfill.
Terry Lake says the ministry is investigating on several fronts including what toxicity, if any, exists in the ash shipped from a Burnaby waste to energy incinerator.
“Well we are looking into that I do not have a defintive answer on that at this time but certainly you know we will follow protocol and make sure Metro is not causing a problem in terms of landfill but you know it is a very well run landfill and there are certainly ways of handling material we will follow up with them but we will have to get more information before we can comment further.”
Lake says he also wants answers on why Covanta, the company running the incinerator, took a month to report the tests showing high levels of cadmium.
“I would be concerned if this is an unusual delay I think Metro Vancouver needs to know if there is something that is out of the terms of the permit they need to know that as soon as possible so we will review that with them certainly it is my goal to make sure we are very transparent and open.”
When asked if the ash in the landfill poses any environmental risk, Lake says “I don’t think so, our staff are working with Metro Vancouver they have the authority over this site and they are investigating so we are following it closely with staff at Metro Vancouver but there is no indication at this point there is an concern however we are following up with them.”
Roughly 2000 tonnes of the material was shipped to the landfill and Metro Vancouver is working to determine if it needs to be removed or not.
Lake’s NDP counterpart says Metro Vancouver needs to take this incident into account as it explores the idea of dealing with the region’s garbage by using a waste to energy incinerator.
Rob Fleming says the potential risk to the ground and air concerns not just metro residents, but those in the Fraser Valley too.
“I think this investigation really has to determine the facts on whether the contamination has occured at Cache Creek. But of course there needs to be a full explanation on the reporting lag by all the parties involved, including the private operator.”
Fleming also says it isn’t just the ash at the Cache Creek landfill he also has concerns about pollutants that may have been emitted at the incinerator during the two months over the summer where tests showed high levels of cadmium.
“Cadmium is serious. Other hazardouse materials getting into the environment, getting into the airshed is a concern to residents in this region and the Fraser Valley up the way. So I think Metro Vancouver has to do a good job explaining this issue to people because now that it’s come to light, there’s a serious concern here.”
Covanta maintains the ash is not hazardous and they blame an aberration in testing and communications lapse for the incident.
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