Politicians' Positions on the Waste-to-Energy Incinerator
Frederick County Commissioner Vice President David P. Gray
In favor of the waste-to-energy incinerator
Gray is running for a fifth term (article).
Gray supports incineration and was ready to move forward with it at the April 28, 2009, worksession, although in 2006 he opposed it. He very wrongly believes that an incinerator with a smaller smokestack will satisfy those opposed to the incinerator—incredulously thinking that the incinerator being an eyesore is the objection! He said the emissions in the contract are the "best possible," with a "guarantee" from Wheelabrator! [there currently are no guarantees.] He made a motion to go forward with WTE procurement (supported by Thompson but failing to pass).
He has said that a ban on incinerators near homes is not logical, yet in 2006 he asked who would want to live next to one!
He stated: "I do not support waste incineration. It sounds simple and easy. It almost makes us think that we can just go on forever throwing and burning. It however is fraught with significant pollution problems — both in the air and in the disposal of ash. Traffic to and from the incinerator adds to pollution and waste. The economics of such an operation are at best high risk and at worst we may end up begging other counties for their trash to achieve ‘economies of scale.' This would create more pass-through traffic problems on our roads — and by the way, who would want to live next to it?"
View this video on why he is in favor of it.
See articles and e-mails pertaining to Gray.
