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Lawmakers debate study of waste-to-energy technology as opponents warn of health risks
Summary
House Joint Resolution 54 asking for a study of waste-to-energy technologies advanced out of committee after testimony from its sponsor about pyrolysis potential and opposition from environmental and public-health advocates citing pollution, dioxins and inefficiency.
Representative Carrie Seakins Crowe introduced House Joint Resolution 54 asking the committee to study waste-to-energy options, including pyrolysis and other high-temperature technologies, and their possible byproducts and markets. "We have waste and we need energy," Crowe said, urging a study of new technologies and public–private partnerships.
Nick Fitzmaurice, energy transition engineer with the Montana Environmental Information Center, opposed the idea and urged a no vote on the measure. Fitzmaurice warned that incineration and some waste-to-energy processes produce particulate pollution and toxic dioxins that can harm public health and contaminate soil and water. "Waste incineration is a technology that's been around for over a 100 years, and we've increasingly learned the harms that it can bring," he said.
Committee members discussed potential benefits such as landfill-gas recovery and recovery of useful materials, and asked the sponsor about the intended scope. Crowe said the resolution is intended as a fact-finding study to identify technologies, byproducts, resource needs and possible economic uses. After discussion and a recorded roll-call, HJ54 was approved in executive action with an 8–6 vote and will move to the House.
