Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson and Dufferin Public Works Director Trevor Lewis spent Monday and Tuesday night talking trash in the council chambers of Orangeville and Mono – trash disposal at a proposed gasification plant, to be specific.

Mayor Crewson, who also serves as chair of the Community Development Committee, (CDC), and Mr. Lewis were also joined at Monday’s Orangeville meeting by Warden Allen Taylor.

Their appearance before both councils was motivated by an aim to seek out and address the concerns of the various county municipalities over the plant, which is part of the Dufferin EcoEnergy Park (DEEP).

In an earlier letter to Orangeville council asking that the CDC appear as a delegation, Mayor Crewson pointed out that preparing a “process road map” for the facility was necessary. He added that the county “will need to receive input from the local municipalities to determine the “type of legend and scale of the map” that might be used.

Much of the questioning from both councils focused on the financial impact of the project, the volumes of waste it could process, and the benefits of proceeding with it.

While neither council chose to put forth a motion to support or oppose the project, there was an apparent undercurrent of general support.

“I think we want to be supportive,” said Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams, “but it’s probably appropriate for us to ask our staff to look (further) into it.”

At Mono, council decided to wait until the next council meeting before presenting any opinions or recommendations. Councillor Jean Castel, commenting that the estimated tipping fees of $75 to $80 per tonne “seem a little high,” later asked: “Are we in a position to make this decision until we have all the figures?”

Orangeville Councillor Scott Wilson also alluded to the proposed tipping fee and asked what the town currently pays to get rid of its waste. Public Works director Jack Tupling informed council that, in 2009, the cost was $62 per tonne.

Mayor Crewson reminded Mono council “it’s not just a matter of cost. It’s about reducing the carbon footprint of Dufferin County.”

Mr. Lewis pointed out that the plant, with a proposed capacity of 70,000 tonnes a year, could produce electricity generating revenues of 12 cents per kilowatt hour as a feed-in tariff price for electricity purchased by Ontario Power Authority.

He conceded that there will be residue from the plant in the form of slag, but explained it would be inert and have a sandy texture that could be used to add mixture to such products as asphalt and concrete.

It was also asked whether there would be an adequate flow of waste to keep the plant running regularly at a 70,000-ton capacity.

Several local municipalities have objected to an initiative to have the county take over disposal responsibilities for their waste, when they have their own landfill sites where they could handle it themselves more economically.

During the presentation at Mono, Mayor Crewson pointed out that Michigan, a destination for much of the trash generated in the GTA and other parts of southern Ontario, is poised to close its borders to such waste within the next couple of years.

For those communities without their own landfills, “I expect tipping fees will increase dramatically,” speculating they could exceed $100 per ton.

And if Dufferin cannot generate enough trash, several other municipalities may be happy to contribute.

For example, neighbouring Simcoe County has charge of waste management but has been unable to develop a landfill site, and is eying Dufferin as a potential outlet for 65,000 annual tonnes.

Mr. Lewis told Mono Council Tuesday night that he has spoken with Peel Region authorities and they have indicated that up to 15,000 tonnes of the region’s garbage could be steered toward the plant.

Warden Taylor summed up the situation Monday night in Orangeville when speaking of those opposing the transfer of waste management to the county, as well as the need for a popular consensus among the municipalities. “We need their votes, not necessarily their garbage.”

What is required is a triple majority vote at county council – the agreement by a majority of the eight municipalities, representing at least half the population of the county, as well as a majority of the county council votes.

Mayor Crewson came out of both council meetings with a positive feeling. “Orangeville’s reaction was to refer the matter to their staff,” he said. “I’m encouraged we received the customary treatment.”

As for Mono, “I am encouraged by their interest. We have a long history of support from the deputy mayor (Ken McGhee). Mayor (Lorrie) Haddock has been one of the main cheerleaders for this project.”

Mr. Lewis was asked at both Orangeville and Mono when the plant might be up and running. He said too many variables are involved to be absolutely sure at this point, but suggested it could be as early as 2012.

Mayor Crewson emphasized the need for county-wide support. “Until we actually say ‘yes, we’re going to do this,’ we’re just another green guy out to make noise.”