Environment and Conservation
Municipal Affairs
December 5, 2008

Ministers Congratulate Stephenville on Incinerator Closure

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, acting Minister of Environment and Conservation, and the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs, today congratulated the Town of Stephenville on shutting down its incinerator.

The Stephenville incinerator serviced just over 11,000 individuals of the communities of Stephenville, Kippens, Cape St. George, Port au Port East, Port au Port West-Aquathuna-Felix Cove, Cold Brook, Noel�s Pond and Gull Cove. Per year, the total tonnage of waste incinerated was 8,962 tonnes.

"I am very pleased that there is one less incinerator operating in this province today, particularly one of this size," said Minister Jackman. "I applaud area residents and Stephenville Mayor Tom O�Brien for their commitment to more environmentally-responsible waste management practices."

The closure comes one month in advance of the December 31, 2008, deadline established to cease open burning as per the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy.

In October, the Department of Municipal Affairs announced that in areas where studies are underway and progress is being made on interim consolidations, the Provincial Government would extend the permits to operate incinerators beyond December 31, 2008, based on a case-by-case review of the circumstances.

"While the goal remains to have these sites closed as soon as possible, we recognize that some additional time may be required" said Minister Whalen. "I am very pleased that Stephenville has been able to meet the original deadline. This closure just brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of province-wide modern waste management by 2020."

"The closing of our incinerator indicates our desire to responsibly manage the waste we generate," said Tom O�Brien, Mayor of Stephenville. "The town and in fact the whole Bay St. George area, will continue to work closely with the Western Regional Waste Management Authority to ensure we are doing our part to progress the strategy and in turn, modern waste management."

Area MHAs also expressed their pleasure at the announcement.

"I am proud to be representing an area that is taking the environment and in turn the waste management strategy, seriously," said the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's - Stephenville East.

"I too am very pleased with the initiative shown by the residents and council of Stephenville," said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port.

In May 2007, the Provincial Government announced implementation of the $200-million Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy, with a goal for full implementation by 2020. The strategy calls for full-service regional waste management facilities in three areas, Avalon, Central and Western, of the island portion of the province and programs that will be developed for the zones in Labrador to meet the provincial waste management goals. The provincial strategy will aim to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills in the province by 50 per cent supported by the use of disposal bans and development of new waste diversion programs.

To date, over 50 sites have closed, open burning has been reduced � and even eliminated in the Greater Avalon � and regional waste management committees have been established in most regions.

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Media contacts:

Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca

2008 12 05                                                    11:00 a.m.
 


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