States does U-turn on waste plant

Fifteen reports have been prepared on the waste for energy plant idea

A waste-to-energy plant for Guernsey is being reconsidered two years after the idea was thrown out by the States.

The u-turn has been revealed in a 600-page strategy into the future management of the island's waste.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent over the past 13 years looking at waste solutions before the island landfill capacity ends in 2014.

Now the Environment Department says burning waste to generate electricity has proved the cheapest option.

States members are to debate the new strategy which is based on the results of a report by UK consultancy Enviros in January.

It recommends high recycling on the island and tendering for a plant that could deal with 70,000 tonnes of waste a year.

We are now at the crossroads where we must make a serious decision Environment Minister Bernard Flouquet

The report advises competitive tendering for a waste-to-energy plant against a combination of thermal treatment and a recycling plant.

If approved by the States, a tender process could be complete by March 2008, with the plant up and running by 2012.

Environment Minister Bernard Flouquet said: "This is the 15th report that we have had on this subject since 1993. We are now at the crossroads where we must make a serious decision."

'End of line'

The last recommendation for the waste-to-energy plant was overturned in 2004 by the States.

Deputy Flouquet said: "Since then the department has done what was requested. It has investigated other options, such as export.

"What we have now is the energy for waste option effectively back on the table.

"I am hopeful that the States will effectively see that we have come to the end of the line regarding this particular subject and support all the recommendations we are putting forward."

He confirmed Longue Houge was still earmarked for the plant.

The Billet sets out various recycling schemes that would also be necessary including green waste collection and island-wide kerbside schemes.

People can hear about the proposals at a meeting on Monday night at the Haute Cappelles School.