Reducing greenhouse gases

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Media are hazing federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer about having an unknown climate change plan, but maybe they should look to members of Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA) if they are looking for a concrete plan for significant greenhouse gas reductions.
It is predicted, at current reduction levels, that Canada will still be 111 megatonnes over its greenhouse gas emissions for 2020, and the federal government has pushed its target date to 2030 in hopes of meeting its climate change goals.
SAEWA has studies that support recycling can make a difference in greenhouse gas reduction. According to a project status summary update, SAEWA performed an environmental life cycle analysis that was peer reviewed by Oil & Gas Sustainability Ltd. and the Pembina Institute. It states there will be approximately seven million tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions over life of project (233,000 tonnes per year).
Emissions Reductions Alberta website states that since 2009 it has invested $327 million in 122 projects with estimated GHG reductions (tonnes of CO2e by 2020) of eight million.
“It is easy to see that SAEWA’s seven million tonnes of CO2e are significant, and if it received $30 per tonne for carbon credits it would offset the facility cost by $210 million,” stated Sherry Poole, SAEWA project executive.
With last year’s Chinese ban on importation of plastic and paper recyclables, facilities such as SAEWA could be a solution for greenhouse gas reduction, employment opportunities and dealing with municipal stockpile backlogs.
Many municipalities in Canada are struggling with building recycling piles. A CBC article stated the City of Calgary has stockpiled over 5,000 tonnes of recycled waste since the ban went into effect and is looking for ways to recycle their surplus.
Poole said the positive thing about the ban is that it is generating new interest in the services SAEWA could provide.
“The Chinese ban on importing contaminated (.05 per cent) mixed plastic and paper has seen a renewed interest in SAEWA from past and prospective new members that see an energy-from-waste (EfW) as the anchor for local enhanced plastic and paper products recycling. Recent announcements about Chinese businesses establishing large recycling facilities in the U.S. seem to support that direction as does the recent contacts we have been getting from international financial institutes looking to get involved with SAEWA,” said Poole.
Although slow to funding SAEWA, political sources are waking up to the potential services the facility can provide. If SAEWA was able to retain significant funding it would move the project quickly into operational reality. Fees charged would be dependent on financial support received. Six locations have already been designated as possible locations for the facility.
SAEWA Chair Ben Armstrong and Poole met with the Premier’s southern Alberta executive director Anne McGrath and discussed in a 1.5 hour session the possibilities proposed by the project.
“She was very positive about the proposals and put us in contact with the ministers that we need to be in contact with,” said Armstrong.