Longstanding incinerator proposal still on the table

The Guam Solid Waste Authority is racing against time to build a new cell at the Layon landfill, which is expected to again reach capacity within the next two years. But a proponent of incineration says the longstanding proposal to burn trash that could greatly extend the life of the landfill is still on the table. They're just waiting for a bill from Adelup to clear the way.

The contract between GovGuam and waste-to-energy company GRRP goes back to the mid-80's. One time representative David Sablan says up to now the company is still fighting, and a breach of contract suit against the government is still pending before superior court presiding judge Alberto Lamorena.

"But if the government wants to settle in cash, then so be it," he stated. "Judge Lamorena will probably go to trial and get this thing resolved. Then we'll know one way or another if GRRP's case is strong enough to force the government to pay I think this lawsuit is for $20 million and then they would go away. End of story."

But Sablan says the company would prefer that the project finally move forward. "I think the people of Guam, and I personally as well, support strongly that we must have a landfill connected to a waste to energy facility because we're on an island. We can't afford to give away 10 to 12 acres every year for a landfill that fills up every eight years," he said.

"When you burn the trash, 90 percent of that volume gets reduced. So you go in with ten truckloads of trash and you come out with one truckload of ash, and that's all you're going to deliver to the landfill."

He says that would extend the life of the landfill by tenfold.

The project has been mired in controversy over the years. Opponents objected to various provisions, for example the requirement to buy back the energy produced by the incinerator. The proposal was blocked altogether after senators, led by the late speaker Ben Pangelinan passed a law barring incineration in Guam.

Sablan says they need that law repealed, explaining, "At this point all we need to tell Judge Lamorena is that the Bill is in the legislature. I've talked to some of the senators and they are in favor of this. They're just waiting for the Governor to send it down. So, if we can convince the governor to do that, hopefully the project will move forward."