The Future Trust of Barbados under the theme ‘Guardians of our Heritage’ invites residents of Barbados to attend two Town Hall meetings on the 13th and 14th of July 2015. The discussion will centre on ‘Hard facts on the Cahill Gasification Plant’. Panellists: Professor Paul Connett of Lawrence University, Lennie St.Hill, former Town Planner and…
The Future Trust of Barbados under the theme ‘Guardians of our Heritage’ invites residents of Barbados to attend two Town Hall meetings on the 13th and 14th of July 2015. The discussion will centre on ‘Hard facts on the Cahill Gasification Plant’.
Panellists: Professor Paul Connett of Lawrence University, Lennie St.Hill, former Town Planner and Mark Hill, Scientist
Fee free to share the flyer:-
@Hants
The professor is of the view plasma technology employed on an island which lacks the wherewithal to monitor and control is something environmentalists across the globe would be interested.
@george your answer is most worthy of one of those politican catch phrase. the FACT is that if recycling was the most effective alternative ,no country would see the need for WTE, the Fact being that the recycling cannot out paced the volume of garbage to be collected and the time need to process plus the space need to store the garbage on a daily basis. like any other project recycling has it challenges and one which is rapid disposal
@ David
The poor fella probably never encountered such brass bowls as Bajans before ..and is fascinated by the experience….
Who knows… he may even decide to move here – just to study AC …and to do some research into how shiite can be ’embodied’ – and even unleashed upon otherwise quite rational blogs such as BU, to represent government policies and positions…
@ Dompey @Adrian Clarke, why you feel we must never ask for transparency from government or hard questions? Perhaps, you both can find out from the proponents if the WTE is about waste Management, profiteering or reducing our fuel import bill?
We have learnt from international sources that this plant will attract the hazardous waste from the Caribbean and Latin America who will pay top dollars for taking their hazardous waste. Who will the monitor 10 to 20 % that remains after gasification that must be landfilled for toxins and how can it impact our water supply.
We have not even cleaned up the Mobil contamination at Gravesend, Pegwell Boggs Shell Spill and the daily pollution from Arawak how we going to deal with this monster and its nano particles?
To defend without objectivity just for political expediency will imperil a whole country irregardless of political persuasion.
@ ac
What is the purpose of SRBC?
I thought it was meant to separate all the waste into different streams in order to allow recycling of glass, plastic, cardboard, paper, organic material etc., and in doing so, reduce the landfill requirement.
Is it not doing that?
It would be helpful if the Government published the figures on how SBRC is performing, how much waste still goes to landfill and what the residue is which is available for incineration.
Part of the problem with the Cahill plant is that Government appears to have given them the right to ALL waste in Barbados for the next 30 years. Many people are concerned that, as an example, plastic bottles which could have been recycled, will instead be burned. Is that what is going to happen?
Why is that necessary, when those bottles would not have gone to landfill in the first place?
Adrian Clarke, if you are back in BIM for crop over you are free to attend the Town Hall meeting and hear the alternatives to Plasmas Gasification. More jobs than the Cahill deal would be created and recyclers will earn FX that would remain in Barbados. I wonder what 7th Heaven finders will be for getting Cahill a willing government in the Caribbean to buy this $700M project?
@Kammie
What sense does it make engaging in diseases debate with a door post?
First of All Mr; Kammie Holder get your FACTS right for starters ac is not Adrian Clarke, O.K
Next my question to You is : since you adamantly oppose the plant what other alternatives you have that can be beneficial in cleaning up the garbage at a rapid pace/// as we all well know that garbage becomes toxic within seconds and poses a health hazard eg mosquito infestation! rodents air borne bacteria and a growing list of unnamed health related problems are associated to garbage disposal.Mr; Holder are you not concern about such problems and if so then why quarrel with the expediency and the measures taken to correct even if one count the cost. The price to contain and the money to assure that diseases is not spread within the enviroment through unsanitary disposal of garbage is all worth it,
@ Hants July 12, 2015 at 8:57 PM
“The professor stated that he was sending the “information” to others around the world and if the government does not stop this WTE project it will negatively affect Tourism.
Did I hear right or did I misinterpret ?”
You heard correct, alrightt! And he is very serious about it too.
This WTE project is just a phantom; a fiction of scammers imagination to bilk taxpayers out of upfront consultancy fees and possible ‘hush money’ from threats of suing for damages for breach of contract with the four ministers lined up to get their 10% kickback.
Which international investors would take up hundreds of millions of money to put in a simmering economic volcano about to erupt likeSantorini Grecian style?
When the last firing economic cylinder, the tourism industry, disappears because of fears of pollution and contamination where would the forex come from to pay back the investors their monies?
Where would the imported garbage come from? Who would be paying the ‘exporters’ in those countries for the collection, preparation, storage and transportation of the thousands of tonnes of filth to be shipped yearly to pristine Barbados a country that used to export water to other islands in the region?
Who would want to come to an island where there are floating barges of garbage and other toxic filth not very far from their yachts and cruise liners?
We wonder what Emera has to say about all of that electricity being put on the BL&P grid.
What would become of their underutilized generating plant at Spring Garden?
Solar, wind, Sugar Cane Factory , now WTE from burning imported garbage.
What next? Electricity generated from the burning of dead bodies that would soon be littering the place from stress, starvation, polluted food and toxic fumes?
But let us not forget Barbados has millions of untapped oil reserves just waiting for the rigs to be set up while fighting for space with the flotilla of garbage barges in tow
Get real, fellas! Just another scam like the Pierhead marina and the cruise ship terminal to put millions of taxpayers in the pockets of crooked ‘consultants’ and their politician friends.
@ St george What is the purpose of SRBC. for recycling ! it is not multipurpose .
Absolutely correct David, environmentalist across the world will look in wonder. A blogger mentioned tourism and surely that would be impacted.
The publicity generated will certainly be huge so maybe AC and her team can ride the free publicity and have the marketing folks offer ‘See Paradise Before Plasma Gasification’ promos.
And according to AC because our little coral island desperately needs this cutting edge technology after construction of course then we go with the ‘See Paradise With its Latest Plasma Green Technology ‘ promos.
Just the thing we need!
Either we as a people are dumb and can’t understand the awesome power and economic power of this opportunity or we have a cadre of criminal and corrupt people who coordinated this project. Not incompetent but criminal and corrupt.
@Dee Word
We must ask the question: what does a green economy mean to a SID dependent on tourism and the attendant optics.
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@ ac
If SBRC is for recycling, why has Government given Cahill all of the waste in Barbados. That means no more recycling in the future?
O.k. another bit of propaganda, do you not understand that employment is still a necessary tool to the development of a country and the govt would have taken that into consideration in reference to SRBC and the impact the WTE might have on the recycling plant
All you misfits have become like misguided missiles out of control , you guys are the equivalent of snake oil salesmen talk nuff crap and make it sound plausible,
@c I am amazed you are not aware of what is CoreNetwork and the Future Centre Trust work with recyclers in Barbados. Perhaps if you would defend less and research more you would not now be asking . You are invited to hear the alternatives working hand in hand with government and legislated recycling. Alternatives which are sustainable will be presented to power country and reduce what goes to landfill by 90 or more %
Kammie so why not be transparent and placed those alternatives on the BU table like all the others issues related to WTE which you have been quick to talk about here on BU.
You this AC is an amazing creature if not a real poltical clown. Facts does not matter when it comes to its scratching the balls of the DLP it loves. Imagine AC is looking at the operations of Gasification plants in countries around the world as success stories to push for her beloved DLP high price endeavour but not looking at the effort it takes to keep these plants at optimum. The maintenance cost, monitoring cost, the analysis of by products from the combustion process and unwanted toxic residue that must be dispose of, all cost a hell of a lot of money. Yet the AC believes this to be right move for Barbados. It would do good to go and read up on the problems associated with this technology. Barbados does not have a track record that says we tend always to be on top of things.
OPIC finances 20MW Jamaican solar farm
Jamaica.
The 20MW project in Clarendon will be Jamaica’s first utility-scale solar farm. Image: Government of Jamaica.
The US government’s Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is to finance a 20MW solar farm in Clarendon, Jamaica.
The project, owned by Content Solar and under development from Florida-based WRB Enterprises, has secured a US$47 million investment from OPIC under the US government’s Caribbean Energy Security Initiative.
The initiative was launched by US vice president Joe Biden last year in order to support renewable energy projects in the Caribbean with Jamaica currently generating more than 90% of its electricity from imported oil.
WRB will be the first investor to develop a utility-scale solar plant in Jamaica and the company’s chairman and CEO Robert Blanchard said the project was “an important milestone not only for Jamaica, but the entire Caribbean”.
Blanchard inaugurated the project with the signing of an agreement alongside Jamaica’s minister of energy Philip Paulwell, US ambassador to Jamaica Luis G. Moreno and OPIC chief of staff John Morton.
“OPIC’s financing to WRB for Content Solar will both help the Jamaican people take an important step toward energy security and also show that Jamaica is a market where private investors can find opportunity for growth,” Morton said, adding: “I’m eager to build on our long, productive relationship with WRB to help show that renewable power is more than a positive environmental step, it makes sound business sense.”
Moreno added that US private investment in Jamaica’s renewable energy efforts is expected to US$150 million over the coming years, enabling projects that “wouldn’t be possible” without OPIC financing.
http://www.pv-tech.org/news/opic_finances_20mw_jamaican_solar_farm_1980
“The Canada-based Solamon company announced its plan to build the largest solar power plant in the Caribbean in Jamaica, at an estimated cost of $450 million.
The programme aims to improve the country’s energy infrastructure and attract additional investment in green technologies.
“In order to implement a solution of this magnitude, several Parishes are being considered as future homes of one of three 50-acre plots that, when conjoined, will provide the Jamaican people with 60 megawatts of clean electricity,” said Ainsley Brown, senior vice president at Solamon. “This programme represents a comprehensive approach to renewable energy development, energy diversification, job creation and training for the 21st century.”
In December, the government announced that the use of alternative in energies in Jamaica had nearly doubled since 2010.
Jamaica has a growing solar movement, according to Roger Chang, President of the Jamaica Solar Energy Association.”
caribjournal.com/2012/01/26/solamon-plans-to-build-largest-caribbean-solar-farm-in-jamaica/#
RastaR on July 13, 2015 at 5:29 AM
Let’s kill this thing dead in its tracks
The question of the Cahill woman’s honesty and credibility goes to the heart of the issue
She has convinced a number of people of her validity and solvency
The government need to have her prove her funding ability and her delays in issuing the reports and notices required by law
Pull the plug
She has no money no experience no team other than the vultures circling the skeletons and relics in her closett hoping to glean the pickings of the bones of this project.
We have support to advocate a SID building a plasma gasification plant from across the globe:
“It is very unfortunate to see that this kind of “Investment Scams” are taking place in a developed world by fooling the entire tax payers. It is shame for a Government to compromise 30 years of Tax payers earnings to a company destined to pollute the globe by burning the valuable resources.
In solidarity with the people of Barbados who are concerned about future generation, environment and people. Be brave and continue fighting.
We are with you on this.
Thanal Team (www.thanal.co.in) andZero Waste Himalaya Network”
##########################################
“The It’s Not Garbage Coalition of Nova Scotia, Canada, strongly advises the Government of Barbados to adopt a Zero Waste Strategy and to completely reject the proposed plasma arc gasifying incinerator. You need to know that the technology does not work reliably and invariably ends up costing far more than proponents suggest. Even worse they pollute. But even more devastating is the overall harm to the foundation of economies by destroying resources essential for the future. We could go on in great detail with specifics of the heartbreaking problems such an incineration scheme will bring as it impoverishes you.
There are better alternatives! Please look to what we have accomplished in Nova Scotia to start you on the right path. Come visit. We now have 20 years of implementation. Then make a clear plan to surpass us by quickly achieving an even more sustainable, circular economy with a Zero Waste Strategy.
With every best wish,
David WimberlyCoordinator
The It’s Not Garbage Coalition”
@Are-we-there-yet
Agree with your critique of the program, kudos to Corey, Kammie et al for mobilizing John Citizen on this issue. About your concern on the correctness of the professor marshaling support across borders, his action defines what an advocate should be. Barbadians have been given a taste of what advocacy is all about – it must be strident and dispassionate.
Where is the waste study report
We have yet to see the official report from Cahill /Stantec inside sources say this is a prerequisite to starting the project
If she hasn’t issued it surely there is a default or breach here
If there is a breach the we should terminate
Any news on the 1st Town Hall meeting?
@Are-we-there-yet
The Town Hall was well attended. Former Chief Town Planner advised the laws of Barbados require an application of this type which requires the use of significant lands to be approved by and Advisory Body represented in the laws of Barbados. He indicated this Advisory Committee of 9 persons has not been activated for the last 30 years.
A cross section of middle and upperclass was well represented and the Q&A was all against the project.
Yet more proof of why the Cahill management of the Cowan woman was dismissive of the former project director Kevin O Donnell who warned of these issues and the need for more investigation of the technologies and viable alternative proven technologies .
The issue of scale up and sustainability and more importantly maintainability were of major concern to him.
Hence he is no longer with the company .
Cahill is a disaster. Down Lowe dirty nasty deal and by Jesus, Darcy and the Scammers will pay.
3 MORE YEARS?
Controversial Cahill Energy project unlikely to begin before 2018
Added by Barbados Today on July 16, 2015.
Saved under Energy, Local News
There’s uncertainty surrounding the date for the start of the controversial Cahill Energy Project, and it could be at least three years before it materializes.
That’s according to Kerry McKenna, Practice Leader in Gasification and Coals to Liquids at Hatch – the Honour Engineer for Cahill Energy – who explained that designs for the project were still ongoing.
Speaking from his office in Mississauga, Canada this morning, McKenna told Barbados TODAY that due
to the complexity and nature of the venture, it could take between three to six years to complete the waste-to-energy project.
“These projects vary in length. As you go through the engineering and design phases, they take a few years to design, and then there is also financing steps which sometimes delay these type of projects, so it could be anywhere from three years to five or six years depending on how many bumps happen to occur,” McKenna revealed.
“There are a lot of factors and it’s a big window, but there are a lot of things that can still happen . . . but a concerted timeframe would be anywhere from three to six years.”
The technology engineer stressed that there had been no agreement on a start-up date for the project.
“I’m not aware of any confirmed date. There are a bunch of engineering steps that are going to be needed to be progressed through, so we are still doing a lot of design work and selecting the final technologies and things like that.
“There needs to be an environmental assessment and a permitting process that needs to go through. So all those steps that we are still getting to, create some uncertainty as to exactly how long it will take in terms of the time for constructing,” McKenna noted, stressing that this was typical for projects of this nature.
However, during a town hall meeting at the Lester Vaughan School on Monday night, the former professor of Chemistry
at St Lawerence University of New York, Paul Connett, suggested that a waste-to-energy plant in Barbados was unlikely to become a reality.
“Don’t get too scared, because they’re not going to build the stupid thing. It won’t happen, either because of the legal aspects, or the people of Barbados just won’t stand for it,” Connett told the packed audience gathered for the event, organized by the Future Centre Trust.
“Before I came to Barbados, I had no knowledge of Barbados,” Connett said, in an attempt to emphasize his neutrality. “I have no interest in the politics here [or] the political parties, I have no axe to grind.
“I am just going to give you what I believe, based upon 30 years of studying waste management.”
Connett, who is a Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, and author of the book, Zero Waste Solution – Unthrashing the Planet One Community at a Time, suggested that a waste conservation solution would be a more suitable option for Barbados.
“We want model solutions, and my dream for Barbados is to help this island become a model for the whole Caribbean. We want Barbados to show that an island can develop a circular economy, and persuade not only the rest of the Caribbean to follow suit and cooperate on this, but also to be a model for every island in the world,” he insisted.
“I’ve been to many islands – Hawaii, Isle of Man, St Maarten, Curacao Puerto Rico, Guam. . . and they’re all struggling to handle the waste problem, because they’ve all taken the attitude of, ‘let’s find a place to put it.’”
The Guernsey-based Cahill Energy announced in March 2014 that it had signed an “historic” agreement with the Government of Barbados to build and operate “a leading edge” US$240 million clean energy plant in n Vaucluse, St Thomas. The company said it would utilize “the most innovative technology available” to transform all kinds of waste on Barbados into clean, renewable energy.
Opposition Leader Mia Mottley has questioned Cahill Energy’s ability to deliver, while warning that plasma gasification technology was “largely untested commercially”. She has also called on Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to release details of the agreement to the public.
McKenna said while he understood some of the concerns being raised about the multi-million dollar project, there was no reason to fear.
He pointed out that similar technology had been instituted in countries such as Japan, as well as across Europe.
“The technology which is going to be used in the project, called plasma gasification, this process has been demonstrated in Japan where it has been operational for over 10 years. It’s being introduced in Europe and there are two major plants of similar scale being built in England right now,” the engineer explained.
“It’s very well researched and used in England in terms of the health effects to the local community, so we know it’s quite safe,” he said
How do you explain CEO Clare Cowan mention of a September 2015 date?
On 16 July 2015 at 06:26, Barbados Underground wrote:
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She trying to sell a dead horse so time is of the essence. She needs to pretend the project is about to start, that’s like waving a red flag to a Chinese bull, LOL.
THAT PROJECT IS DEAD, Mia Amor Mottley has ensured that with he biting expose. Now PISS OFF Clare Cowen and your behind the scenes SCAMMERS
A relevant document – https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/cahill.pdf
Of course the Cahill project is NOT ever going to be built. wuh even AC can see that….
…and it was NEVER the intent to build it either.
Cahill is simply a fraud scheme designed to filter money from the Barbados Treasury into a number of private pockets. No need to build one shiite to do that.
All these people EVER wanted was a ‘project’ that sounded sellable, feasible and sensible to Bajans where they could legitimately spend MILLIONS of our dollars on studies, consultants, engineering, travel studies (convenient for depositing tax-free funds) and PR.
This scam has worked beautifully in the past….and Mia would know this well.
Just ensuring that the project ‘is never built’ therefore is a hollow victory. What we need is a FULL INDEPENDENT AUDIT on all funds spent in pursuit of this scam…by ANY ministry and under ANY head.
When we can see WHAT was paid to WHOM …for what service, many many things will become clearer … Wunna think it is a coincidence that those DLP lawyers charging $700,000 for reading some shiite agreement at the Cave and other such nonsense…?
IF Mia wanted to be REALLY useful, she should fight to re-establish the PAC (does she not have 13 seats in parliament? Bushie would LOVE to see who would vote against its revitalisation) …and then institute such an audit to be conducted under the guidance of one of the VERY FEW REAL MEN remaining anywhere in Barbados.
…a chap called Auditor General, Leigh Trotman.
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