By LISA SCOTTI

A potential gasification facility at the state landfill in Johnston is being considered by R.I. Resource Recovery as a way to re-process trash and convert it into electricity, according to Michael OConnell, executive director of R.I. Resource Recovery. OConnell stressed there will be no cost to the state because Jefferson Renewable Energy will foot the bill for the proposed gasification facility.

“[A gasification facility] would have such tremendous potential to the state in terms of extending the life of the landfill and reducing pollutants,” he said.

A report prepared for the US Department of Energy in 2000 defines gasification as “a technology that has been widely used [commercially] in the production of fuels and chemicals.” Further Internet research clarifies gasification as the breakdown of materials in an “oxygen-starved” environment, whereas incineration uses an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Both processes produce energy, but debate arises as to whether gasification is environmentally dangerous, as incineration has been proven to be. Environmental groups say yes, and they have already begun to voice opposition to the process. In a press release issued June 15, Clean Water Action, Environment RI and the Sierra Club cite conclusions in a 2006 report, “Incinerators in Disguise: Case studies of Gasification…in the U.S.,” which asserted that gasification facilities “are in reality ‘incinerators in disguise’ that heat waste … burn waste gases … and emit dioxin and other pollutants into the air.”

The Department of Energy’s report disputed those findings, saying “gasification and incineration are [both] capable of converting … hazardous materials to simple, non-hazardous byproducts. However, the conversion mechanisms and … byproducts differ and … should [be treated separately] … in the context of environmental protection.”

The report concludes, “All things considered … gasification [can] extract useful products … unlike hazardous waste incineration.”

Vincent Rose is a professor emeritus in chemical engineering at the University of Rhode Island. He recently toured the landfill, in keeping with the many experimental processes that URI continually studies to help alleviate problems like overflowing landfills. He understands the gasification process better than most, but he is cautious about the proposed plan. It is inevitable, said Rose, that there will be some kind of discharge emitted into the air, but there should be research into “what the discharge will be.” He terms it a trade-off, as there is already a power plant at the landfill that releases steam into the air.

“I think it’s worth studying,” he said. “We have to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas.”

OConnell was firm that no decisions have been made yet, aside from determining that Resource Recovery is looking at “some sort of physical operation to take waste and convert it to energy.”

 “It’s such an important project that we want to make sure we’ve done all our homework,” he said. “It’s important to pick the right process for us.”

Because Johnston is the “host community” for the state landfill, Mayor Joseph Polisena has met with all the parties involved. He is adamant that he have a “seat at the table to be sure that [Johnston] gets their fair share.” He has requested the environmental impact studies, as well as asking that public hearings be held in order for residents to voice their concerns.

 “[There won’t be] anything ‘cloak and dagger’ about any of this,” Polisena said. “This is ‘trash for cash’ for the town, [provided] it is environmentally sound, fair to the neighbors and [cleared by] the EPA and DEM.”

OConnell concurs, highlighting the EPA/DEM approval as a benchmark of good public welfare.

Polisena plans to do his own homework, and, aware of residents’ displeasure over the original agreement between Johnston and landfill authorities, he maintains he will negotiate a deal with numbers that are “palatable to the taxpayers.” In addition, while he “absolutely agrees” that Johnston should get more money, he notes that the deal was signed years ago, creating a “marriage where we can’t get divorced.”

“The town is owned by its stockholders, who are the taxpayers, and they need to know about the stabilization of their tax base,” he said. “I’m going to be sure that the community host agreement is good for the town, so I can hold my head high.”