Less Still Means More Pollution
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Posted By: Ivan Butcher II on March 16, 2011 The 40th Anniversary EPA Conference and Town Hall Community Meeting held at UVI and the Educational Complex should have been better represented by the Grass roots people, the people who are being impacted the most by the health threatening pollutants in their environments. The message, that was clearly made by all speakers, now it is on the People to Speak Up with their concerns and recommendations, because the health officials and environmentalist have already made their positions heard. It seems that there is one opportunity left to modify or prevent Alpine Incinerator Waste Treatment Plants. Their position is that they will save us money on our electric bills and that they well resolve our landfill dilemma, at the to be announced CZM Public Hearing. The debate, "Anti or Pro Position on Waste to Energy," I am not sure how the arrangement was made as to who would speak first, but , you know the expression, "Never let them see you sweat." Well, the Alpine representative began agreeing and parroting the opposition. It was like an opening act following the main attraction on stage. My reasoning, the professor was speaking with passion for change from business as usual and the owner was coming from a profit and loss motivation. Well, the lost is, has been and will be Lives, if We the People don't get this right. Paul, Ph.D. author of, Zero Waste For Sustainability, gave examples on top of examples of other island nations that have not only benefited from conservation, composting, recycling and reusing waste to eliminate the need for landfills, in addition, creating green jobs boosting their economies and addressing many of their social problems. Alpines' proposal provides a limited amount of jobs, limited savings on our power bills, an increase in health risk by adding to the our air and water table pollution, and the Profits leaves the Territory. Next point made was that if We began implementing just some of the recommendations made for waste to support sustainability, the Alpine Incinerator will be obsolete in a few years and We will still have 20 to 25 year bill to pay. What wasn't too clear to me, when I left the EPA Conference at UVI, was if Alpine is a done deal, as stated by someone in the audience, because from what I heard, I was under the impression, that Alpine still needed permits. Then, the moderator, of the Toward a Green Virgin Islands session, agreed saying that the Alpine incinerator did meet EPA emissions and pollution standards and permits probably will be granted. When Alpines' owner spoke, the sweat turned to tears, as he talked about their losses in time and monies working on this project. What was expressed, but not said was that their financial backers would be reluctant to invest in a dissatisfied community. Now the message again, which was loud and clear, that if the PEOPLE don't speak up, those tears can turn to joy and relief for Alpine, and Consequences, for our Community and our Environment. An excellent recommendation given was for some of the monies paid in fines by Hovensa to be used to establish a quality control monitoring station here on St. Croix. My recommendation is to developed PBAs made and produced by the students to educate the community and their peers to the development of a more Green Community and Economy. Ivan Butcher II If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Ivan Butcher II
Business Proprietor, The Butcher Shop of the Virgin Islands Member Since February 2008 |
Comments
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Less still means.... Response Keeping a positive outlook, but not optimistic, I sense soon it will not be business as usual. It is obvious that the position I have taken has reach the ears of those decision makers, based on the responses I have received. As an Educator, my responsibility is to inform and enlighten. The community has been asleep on this issue. What I am against is that the purpose of this incinerator is to open up and support the unneeded deforesting to accommodate projects like Great Pond and William and Punch. Because without dealing with our current solid waste dilemma, there will be no way to support such growth, which these developers have planned. All throughout the Caribbean they are moving away from these huge complex's, which are beginning to fail because of the world economy, look at the "White Elephant" in Cruz Bay, St.John. St.Kitts, Nevis, St.Lucia, St.Marteen, for examples are using land filled and waste land areas for such projects, instead of Prime land. To me refurbishing the vacant residential and commercial properties would be more practical. In the Commonwealth State of Virginia, if heirs cannot agree, the Government steps in and auctions the properties in question. What I stated, the People's opportunity to decided if Alpine should be stopped or does it still need more scrutiny and modification. Alpine doesn't solve our overall problem of apathy and unemployment, unless you think our people will be better suited to become the maids and servants of the Affluent. Coming from Education, this should be a Trade/College/ University Community, which would be sustainable and crucial toward training our Youth and preserving our Limited Environment. Ivan Butcher II Wednesday, March 16th 2011 at 5:03PM |
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