The town of Lewisporte is relying on the provincial Environmental Assessment process to determine whether a proposal to develop a massive waste-to-energy facility in the town is environmentally sound and sustainable.

The company behind the project, Synergy World Power, is proposing to convert garbage into liquid energy in a process it calls “gassification.”

Councillor Perry Pond says council is aware of growing opposition to the proposal. A petition against it is already in circulation and detractors are worried that if the project gets the environmental green light, it will be opening the province’s doors to the importation of garbage.

Pond says while the town welcomes companies that can bring economic development to the region, it will let the province decide if this is the right project.

He says the proposal needs to stand on its own merit and they will let the process unfold. Pond says the town is not lobbying government on the matter, and he encourages people who are opposed to the plan to contact the Environment Minister.