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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-10-28, Page 39Landfill sites potential energy While municipal landfill sites are still necessary for the disposal of refuse, they are also a potential source of energy for the future. Ontario Energy Minister Robert Welch announced in April that the province and Metropolitan Toronto will share the cost of a study to determine_- the potential of recovering and selling methane gas produced by Ontario's largest landfill operation, located on Beare Road at Finch Avenue in Scarborough. The 78 -hectare site, open- ed by Metro in 1967, contains an estimated eight million tonnes of refuse. "Ontario is already com- mitted to the study and demonstration of producing energy from municipal waste," Welch said. "A tonne of garbage burned to pre luce steam or electricity has the energy equivalent of more than a barrel of oil. "If we can, as well, harvest energy in the form of methane produced by gar bage already buried, we will be tapping another useful energy source and possibly producing revenue to help offset the costs involved in landfill maintenance." Welch said that removing methane from existing dump sites could also have another beneficial effect. In the past there have been a few cases "where gas seepage has caus- ed problems in buildings located on or adjacent to landfill sites, On slippery roads, all driving manoeuvers must be done gently. Methane is the main com- ponent of natural gas and m its pure form is odorless and colorless. It is produced by the decomposition of waste, particularly vegetable mat- ter. The preliminary study will determine the quantity and quality of gas produced in the Beare Road site. It will also answer technical ques- tions about methods of cap- turing the gas and ,transporting it to customers. In the case of the 'Metro landfill `operation, potential customers include the Metro Toronto Zoo, proposed greenhouses of the Metro Parks Department and a proposed ski chalet of.the Borough of Scarborough Parks Department. The committee managing the study will be chaired by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment which regulates landfill operations in the province. Launch program The Ontario Govern- ment has launched a three-year program of close to $4 -million to assist municipalities in energy. conservation, Energy Minister Robert Welch has announced. In anaddress to the annual meeting of the Association of Counties and Regions of Ontario (ACRO), the Minister said the money will be set aside over the next three years to assist municipalities to carry out internal energy audits, and to establish or expand conservation programs within their own operations. The Ministry of Energy has had a voluntary municipal energy con- servation program in place since 1978, working with ACO through the Municipal Liaison Committee. To date, about 150 energy coor- dinators have been, ap- pointed by municipalities across the province. The Minister stated that all governments have a responsibility to provide leadership in the field, of !energy con- servation, and pointed out that in a recent study of public attitudes, 85 per cent of those polled did not believe that gover- nments were doing enough to deal with the energy situation. "Will citizens (un- dertake conservation measures) if they don't see their civic leaders doing all in their power to conserve energy and tax dollars on their behalf?" he asked. MAZDA B2000 UNBEATABL KUP TRUCK B2000 LONG BED PICKUP We challenge you to find a Datsun or Toyota pickup truck that delivers better gas mileage than the Mazda 62000. You won't find one because the Mazda B2000 delivers gas mileage that's second to none. Now compare sticker prices. Mazda 62000 is unbeatable again. It's the lowest priced pickup in Canada. Think about this too. Right now we are clearing out the last of our 1981 B2000's and sporty Sundowners. So now's the time to beat a path to our door for an unbeatable pickup and an unbeatable deal. able pickup today at.... m THE MORE YOU LOOK, THE MORE YOU LIKE ORS LTD SERVICE ERICH • 524-2113 INFLATED AUTOMOBILE OPERATING EXPENSES 1960 1970 1981 rage 9 1960 11 1970 1981 1960 1970 1981 1960 1970 1981 The cost of running a car goes up every year. In the next four years the jump will be astronomical. Insulation... • from page 8 were used. You should be familiar with the most common types: -- loose fill insulation includes glass fibre, mineral fibre and ver- miculite. Some of these, such as glass and mineral fibre, may be blown as well as poured. The R - value per inch varies from 2.1 to 3.6 depending on the type and insulation method. batt or blanket in-, sulation is generally made from glass or mineral fibre. Batts are available in different widths and thicknesses. Batts with a moisture - resistant covering on one side to act as a vapor barrier are also manufactured. The R - value per inch varies from 2.9 to 4.0 according to the type. The total R - value of the batt depends on the thickness. When choosing the type of insulation most suitable for your needs, consider water resistance, bacteria and vermin resistance, cost, ease of application, rigidity and flexibility. Remember, there are 120 acceptable types of insulation; you should be able to find one that suits your specific needs. Of course, there's more to insulation than simply choosing the right material for the job. The ministry of consumer and commercial relations has published an information .sheet entitled "Insu'_ation: heat in your house, money in your pocket", available through its Consumer Information Centre at 553 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 21-16. Use this information and find out all you can before the job begins. Insulation has certainly proven effective. But whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor, investigate before you invest.