WOOLWICH BIO-EN PUBLIC MEETING

The event was held at Lions Hall in Elmira last evening at 7:30 pm. I would describe it as a very low key event. A few staff from Bio-En were present as was Mr. Chuck Martin, owner. There were many poster boards erected around the hall with descriptions of various aspects of the business. They were helpful and informative. Even more so were the staff present as was Chuck Martin. He answered all my questions as thoroughly as possible and was straightforward about some of the less pleasant aspects of some of the raw materials used to produce methane (such as diapers). Turns out they are not a particularly productive source of methane as there is too much diaper and not enough .... .

I would estimate that during my presence there might have been an additional half a dozen citizens present as well. Some had been involved with the earlier mediation (2012) with the company that resulted in a number of citizen friendly amendments such as regular meetings between a citizens' committee and the company. Sort of a good news/bad news scenario as the committee meets very infrequently now although Mr. Martin advised that the company will meet with them whenever they want. Apparently there generally is a lack of issues and problems which obviously is a good thing.

The company are looking to expand and on the face of it that is both normal and appropriate. The remaining citizens who are less than happy about that say that it's all about location and truck traffic. They are right that the downtown and the Arthur St./Church St. intersection is overcrowded. The other huge issue for them (and should be for all of us?) is air emissions. Diesel fumes are not good for anybody's health. I did hear one citizen last evening very bluntly telling a company staffer that their incoming and outgoing trucks are already exacerbating toxic air emissions and hence no they should not be allowed to expand on that. The citizen is right but I do not know how under current rules, regulations and laws that that could be enforced essentially by penalizing one company out of the hundreds (?) who contribute to the problem.