Raymond seeking clarification on tire burning as a potential fuel source

Tuesday November 28, 2006

Halifax – NDP Environment Critic and MLA for Halifax Atlantic Michele Raymond says clarification is needed on the potential use of tires as fuel in Nova Scotia.

Lafarge Canada has made a tender to the Resource Recovery Fund Board, proposing to use tires as fuel in its Brookfield plant. Raymond has written to the Minister of Environment and Labour, Mark Parent, seeking answers to several outstanding questions.

“There is currently no legislation or regulations currently banning the use of tires as fuel in Nova Scotia as this process does not fall under the current rules for ‘open air burning’ and/or ‘incineration,’� says Raymond. “Further, only an industrial approval, not an environmental assessment would be needed to burn tires.�

“I am unsure why any company would offer a tender without knowing whether their proposed process can even be allowed through the required industrial approval,� says Raymond. “Has there been any discussion with Lafarge leading up to this tender?�

Raymond also questioned the validity of ‘environmental fees’ levied on sale of tires in Nova Scotia if they are eventually to be used as commercial fuel.

“Will the Nova Scotia government allow these fees to subsidize a company using tires as fuel?� asks Raymond.

“I urge you to ensure that this province does not start permitting tires to be burned as fuel,� writes Raymond. “This would be an extraordinary regressive step in a day and age when we are attempting to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to clean up some of the worst environmental practices of the past.�

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