The CEO of Synergy World Power, a company looking to develop a waste-to-energy plant in Lewisporte, is addressing some of the concerns area residents have about the proposal.

The group “Say No to American Garbage” argues that significant environmental damage could be caused by such a project. They say the province is not taking care of its own garbage and is not in a position to take on trash from other countries.

Synergy World Power CEO Keith Holbert counters that the plant would be environmentally friendly.

Some have suggested that what essentially is being proposed is an incinerator, but Holbert says that’s not the case. He explains that, essentially, the plastics and biomass are submerged in water, which is then heated and put under pressure.

That, he says, is what creates the renewable energy sources. He argues that it is a clean and effective way to deal with such waste, as opposed to what is being done right now—putting it in a landfill.

As well, Holbert notes very little would be released into the air with such a system as it takes place under water.