Citizens group asks court to review Lafarge tire burning
A group opposed to burning tires at the Lafarge cement plant in Brookfield, N.S., is going to court to try to block the move.
The group — which calls itself CABOT, or Citizens Against the Burning of Tires — is asking a justice of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court to review the provincial Environment Department's approval of test burning at Lafarge.
The request for a judicial review was filed with the court Friday.
The company argues that burning tires in its cement kiln lowers both its costs and its carbon footprint.
Environmental implications
Opponents say there are broader environmental concerns that aren't reflected in the approval.
"The industry's version does not look adequately at the issues that can affect human health and the environment," said Lydia Sorflaten, CABOT spokesperson.
"Our aim was to present a different view."
The company won a tender for five years of access to 30 per cent of the tires in the province.
As part of that tender, the company is paid for taking the used tires and disposing of them.
In this case, because they're being used as a fuel replacement, the process will reduce the company's energy costs.
Lawyers to meet next month
A court date has been set for early next month when lawyers will discuss a date to hear CABOT's application.
"One thing that I'm really looking forward to is experts are going to be brought to the stand to give a better overview of the whole process, rather than just the industrial point of view," Sorflaten said.
This is not the first time neighbours of the cement plant have fought this battle.
In 2007, they successfully lobbied the Progressive Conservative government of the day to block a similar proposal by Lafarge.
Before any test burn, Lafarge must install additional equipment at its kiln and receive industrial approval.
It's not expected the company will be in a position to start until next year at the earliest.
