Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority introduces a solution to the

Johnson Canyon
Plasco Energy Group chosen to convert waste

By LAUREEN DIEPHOF

Published: March 16th, 2011, Gonzales Tribune, Page 1

Salinas Solid Waste Authority (SVSWA) General Manager Patrick Mathews,

Diversion Manager Susan Warner and Assistant General Manager Jose Gambola
were ready to answer questions on March 8 to a packed house at the Gonzales
High School gymnasium, regarding the choice they made to use Plasco Energy
Group from Canada.

Gambola headed up the introductions and the organization of the discussion.

Plasco was chosen, from an open bidding process, to partner on the project
that would convert waste into marketable products, using a plasma gasification
process.

The need to use a conversion process came from the need to reach an
alternative solution to the Johnson Canyon facility that is quickly reaching its
capacity.

Three landfills have been previously closed.

SVSWA formed in 1997 and is made up of the cities of Gonzales, Greenfield,

King City, Salinas, Soledad and the eastern half of unincorporated Monterey
County.

The March 8 meeting was the first of its kind to give the public opportunity to
review and understand the Plasco Group’s solution and technology. Organized
public meetings are the first phase of the required environmental review before
construction can commence.

Plans are that when Plasco Energy Group is in place, it would employ 37
people to perform in operations, engineering, accounting and electrical
maintenance, for example. Construction of the plant will begin in July 2013 and
employ approximately 65 people to construct the plant on ten acres of land.

The meeting didn’t come without opposition from a group called Greenaction
for Health and Environmental Justice, represented during the meeting by Bradley
Angel, and community organizer Margaret Serna Bonetti.
Prior to the meeting, Greenaction circulated opposing notice about Plasco Energy
Group, door-to-door throughout the community.

“The Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority wants to have a garbage incineration
plant built in the Salinas area. They have picked Gonzales as the location, but
have not even once had a properly advertised meeting for the public about this.
Once again, primarily low-income Latino communities are being targeted for
polluting industries,” the letter stated.

Angel claimed that Plasma technologies are incinerators in disguise that would
heat large amounts of garbage and then burn the gases, resulting in emissions
of toxic contaminants and other pollutants into the air.

“Plasco makes claims that are not correct and are misleading. One of those is
that the heating of garbage is not clean and has no emissions. When syngas is
burned, it results in toxic pollution being emitted into the air,” Angel said.

During the planned meeting Bonetti stood in front of the audience, at the side
of the panel. At one point, the SVSWA had a raffle drawing, and Bonetti called
out to the panel asking, “Why are you having a raffle, when these people have
questions?”

“You are signing your away your right to make decision,” Bennitti told the
audience during the meeting.

The program concluded an hour later than planned to give everyone an

opportunity to ask questions, complain or explain.

Several people commented that they had little notice about the meeting. “We
have no say,” said one audience member.

The date of the meeting was circulated in the utility bills to every Gonzales
citizen, and an article was published in the Gonzales Tribune, which was
repeated on the radio station, KRKC, and Assemblyman Luis Alejo circulated
emails regarding the meeting.

“Tonight, the space station flew over our heads. Didn’t we say back then, that
Kitty Hawk couldn’t fly? This is technology, and it’s got to happen here,” said
Marty Warner.

“If this does happen will they upgrade the fire department for the hazards that
may happen? I want this to be put on a ballot for Gonzales to vote. Not just for
the people of Salinas, but Gonzales,” said Mr. Barba.

“I’m like Marty, every day our lights are on. We need to progress. Do things
that will take us to the future. Let’s not deny science, technology rules our world.
Give the staff a chance,” said a gentleman named Juan.

“What is proposed here is not rocket science. Is this the only company being
considered? Was there a bidding process?” Asked by Barry Wilson.

“If it’s good then we should be happy,” Aurora Valdez said through an
interpreter.

“Don’t make this a race issue,” said a man named Caesar.

 “California has the most stringent rules than anywhere. The State’s not going
to permit any fly-by-night, neither will councilmembers,” said Soledad
Councilman Richard Perez. Perez also sits on the SVSWA board, as does
Gonzales Councilwoman Liz Silva, who was also present during the meeting.

There were many questions that came up during the meeting, and were
clarified and answered by Plasco Vice President Alisdair McClean, Mathews and
Warner.

Below are some points delivered by Plasco Energy group:

• Plasma gasification differs from incineration, in that gasification occurs in

the absence of oxygen, prohibiting combustion, while incineration induces
air to ensure complete combustion.

• Gases from organics are collected and used for energy, fuel or chemicals,
with gasification. With incineration, energy is converted to heat.

• A glass-like slag is produced from solids, which can be used for roads, for
example, while incineration results in ash that would then be treated as
hazardous waste.

• Emissions with gasification, is slower than with incineration.

• Plasco Conversion System meets the world’s toughest environmental

standards.

• The facility will produce clean potable water. The excess moisture in the
waste is separated at high temperatures and cleaned to potable water
standards.

• The facility would convert more than ninety eight percent of the waste it
processes into marketable products, and segregates heavy metals due to
improper disposals, by the public, of hazardous waste (example:
batteries).

• Plasco would reduce waste by eliminating the methane that would form if
the waste was landfilled, and the power generated from the process
displaces power from other sources such as natural gas.

Plasco is planning its own series of public information meetings to be held

through June. Any community group wishing to schedule a presentation or
receive information can contact the local Plasco Public Outreach Officer Kristina
Wyatt at kristina@meridianhq.com or 524-0408.