Locals cold to garbage-powered electricity

[Lite Beer]

Locals cold to garbage-powered electricity
JITIMA JANPHROM
THE SUNDAY NATION

KHON KAEN: -- THE FIGHT against plans to build a garbage-powered electricity-generating plant in Khon Kaen's Phu Wiang Municipality has continued unabated. This plan was meant to be among various garbage-disposal methods to be used to help alleviate the problem of overwhelming waste in the municipality's 24-rai dump, located in Tambon Ban Reu.

The problem of mounting garbage is not uncommon in Thailand, as the amount of waste created is going beyond the capacity of existing dumpsites and building a garbage-powered electricity-generating plant has been raised as a solution in many areas.

However, such proposals often face protests from local residents, who fear environmental and health impacts.

A recent public consultation in Tambon Phu Wiang Municipality did not get a good response as only a few people showed up and related agencies were conspicuously absent.

Representatives of PPG Phuwiang Greentech presented an explanation about the proposed plant, which would use 200-250 tonnes of garbage per day - while protesters camped outside, shouted objections.

Tambon Phu Wiang Municipality, however, went ahead and signed a memorandum of understanding with nearby districts that will |provide garbage to fuel the plant.

But protesters claim the power plant may add to the huge amount of garbage in their area, as trucks laden with garbage pass through community areas and inflict toxic fumes on residents from burning the waste. Local resident Numit Panoi said the plant wasn't a solution, but a second blow.

More trash would be brought into the area - possibly in a careless manner - and would end up creating a foul odour, she said.

Another resident, Sakhon Lippo, called on municipal authorities to have a better management system like burying garbage instead of building a power plant.

"Currently, they are still unable to solve the problem of the 7 to 8 tonnes of garbage created every day. Plus there is polluted water leaking into rice fields and some residents have developed an allergic rash," he said, adding that bringing more garbage to feed the plant would worsen this problem. "We are also not sure if the plant's combustion system is effective, safe and won't create dust," he said, noting that there were schools in the area.

Another villager, Papop Butthes, said the protest had been initiated by local residents themselves as they felt their area did not need a power plant. "If the municipality cares enough and is serious about garbage disposal, they could employ a better method," he said, adding that they would protest until the end.

However, local resident Pilawan Phumas, disagreed, saying that judging from the project's presentation in which a Phuket power plant was cited, it could be a good thing because this method of disposing garbage was systematic and could create jobs for the locals.

However, she voiced concern on garbage being transported through the community on a daily basis, as it could affect those living along the route or near the plant.

Tambon Phu Wiang Municipality clerk Amnuay Rungrat said the garbage issue was worsening every day, as the dumpsite was limited to 24 rai and located in Tambon Ban Reu, which only allowed the waste to be buried once a week.

He said the plant would provide a good solution, though it should undergo a public hearing.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Locals-cold-to-garbage-powered-electricity-30256038.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-15

[cooked]

Garbage incinerators are high tech facilities if they are to be run properly. Adequate filters need to be installed and these are very expensive. Won't / shouldn't happen in a country that cuts corners and doesn't have the engineering experience necessary.

[Oziex1]

"However, such proposals often face protests from local residents, who fear environmental and health impacts."

Bloody hell how can this be, their attitude to the environment can be seen in the smoky haze all around!

[FangFerang]

Bangkok needs a really big garbage dump, it seems....

[mathewjg]

People seem to prefer local garbage dumps nearer their homes preferably on a bit of scrub land.

[jaywalker]

Simple solution is to haul it all 1 km off Pattaya Beach & dump it overboard.

Seems to be where most garbage goes if you happen to walk that beach in the mornings.

[Derek M]

"However, such proposals often face protests from local residents, who fear environmental and health impacts."

Bloody hell how can this be, their attitude to the environment can be seen in the smoky haze all around!

I thought the local Isaan attitude to rubbish was to just to toss it aside leave it there for months or weeks on end then burn it.

mean while hundreds of thousands of house holds in Khon Kaen, and millions of house holds in Thailand are....burning their rubbish outside of their home every day of the week not giving a sh*t/thought/care/consideration in the world as to the wind direction, smell and health implications! Not sh* they are burningt given as to others who may be enjoying the sun or breathing in the possible toxic rubbish!

[MyFriend You]

I love the smell of burning plastic bags & bottles in the morning!!! Smells like Victory!!!

[thedude82]

this is the Thai version of NIMBY "Not in my backyard!"

[Srikcir]

If the proper environmental investigation and public disclosures have been done, this project needs to be started immediately. Locals will then either back off or sue to stop the project. Of course they could also chose public demonstrations but not very useful with martial law in effect.

How can any government deliver on a roadmap for energy sufficiency if it cannot tolerate public conflict? But at this juncture Gen. Prayut is encountering so many conflicts from his micromanagement of government roadmaps and intolerance to changing any part of the NCPO agenda, that he might just stop the project temporarily until a civilian government can be brought in. He makes really no decision and remains blameless.

[cooked]

this is the Thai version of NIMBY "Not in my backyard!"

Listen mate. You do NOT want one of these within 50Km of your back yard, right? I would leave the area if one of these was being built nearby with Thai know how and attention to detail.

[jaywalker]

I love the smell of burning plastic bags & bottles in the morning!!! Smells like Victory!!!

I had a neighbor that had some kind of coconut business in 2002 or so.

He'd burn the husks. That was one foul odor.

I had just moved to the East Side of Pattaya after 14 months living off Lad Prao Road in BKK though, so in a way, it still smelled like victory!

BTW.....That was one of Robert Duval's best-ever lines.

Ranks right up there with "Ain't no law against whackin' a surly bartender".

[pattayasnowman]

Whats the problem ? - TV Companies turn Electricity into Rubbish on a daily basis

[PETERTHEEATER]

I

Whats the problem ? - TV Companies turn Electricity into Rubbish on a daily basis

Not often I get to acknowledge a good quip but, nice one, made me laugh!

[CapeThai]

They should think about their grandchildren and the future 50 years from now when they no longer here...

There is sufficient technology to limit debre and toxins from the plant.

[Strangebrew]

If Thailand were to mustard the will power and fore sight and take a page from California's Waste Management corp. Which by the way use's incinerators to burn garbage and produce electric power which they in turn sell to the power grid. They may find out it is very cost effective and safe to do. But you must take into account they have a world class recycle plan they use also. The remaining ash is returned to the land which helps crops .