Summit Energy's Jake Jenkins answers residents concerns
Summit Energy Inc. proposal returns Dec. 8
The proposal for Summit Energy Inc. to open a plastics melting plant at the former Hershey factory will return to the council lounge Dec. 8.
Smiths Falls Record News
By Stacey Roy
Summit Energy's, Jake Jenkins is hoping to allay the public's fears of his proposed plastics melting plant in town, saying he just wants to be treated like any other business in town.
"I see no reason to receive special oversight from anybody as long as I comply with the laws and provide a safe environment for my employees," Jenkins said in a sit-down interview with the Record News.
The proposal is currently before town council and will be back on the agenda for discussion at their Dec. 8 meeting. If deemed an appropriate use, Council will pass a zoning addition to the current industrial zone to allow the plant to move forward.
The public has been buzzing with feedback and questions since the Nov. 17 public meeting.
"I understand their concerns," Jenkins added. "You have to take into consideration what people feel."
The veteran business man experienced a first in Smiths Falls, having received an email threatening his family due to his local proposal in town. Jenkins added this was one of 100 emails he received, underlining "Everything else has been awesome."
Social media has been busy with feedback and questions from Summit Energy's proposal. Jenkins answered as many as he could on this platform in the days following the public meeting. The Record News attempted to bring these questions to Jenkins during the sit-down interview last week.
Concerns over water pollution is something Jenkins is investigating, saying the water will only come from the steam that is created through the process alone as the equipment they plan to use does not use water of any kind in its processing plastics. To date, the co-owner believes the water will not be harmful.
"We're checking into that one a little bit," Jenkins said.
Questions over air quality from plant emissions isn't a concern for Jenkins who noted planes and trains that make their way through the community regularly would expel more toxins then his plant. It is expected that eight tonnes of plastic will emit eight tonnes of carbon dioxide a year (about the amount three humans expel) There is projected to be a pound of methane released a year.
Should Summit Energy be green lighted for operation in Smiths Falls the plant will be welcoming trucks full of plastic into its plant. Jenkins said there is no way of knowing how many trucks or exactly what the routes will be, but he suspects the traffic could be kept to Highway 43 and Hershey Drive. That being said this area does include access to some local schools and a church. When asked about whether the plant at 1 Hershey Dr. is safe considering all these factors, Jenkins replied: "I struggle with it as well."
The co-owner has sat at the corner of Lorne Street and Hershey Drive to see the traffic first-hand and admits there are a number of children travelling to and from school adjacent to the existing industrial park.
The situation of housing trailers to store plastics until they can be brought into the plant for melting did raise some concern over security and the potential of fire. Jenkins assured residents his research has shown him that plastic would have to be in an environment with a temperature of 130 degrees Celcius for 46 hours before it would catch fire. A facts sheet from Summit Energy says the highest temperature ever recorded in such storage facilities was read at 60C. The real possibility in this case would be arson, and Jenkins said he is aware of this issue and will be utilizing fencing and other security features to address it.
"We'll have them on video surveillance all the time," he said.
The storage of plastic is what concerns the Smiths Falls Fire Department. Fire Chief Normand Beauchamp said they are waiting for information from the planning department before assessing what requirements the fire department would have should a plastics plant open up in the community. These costs will be born by the municipality.
Future plans
Last month's public meeting spoke about plans to melt eight tonnes of plastic, which are the current expectations of the plant once it begins, but Jenkins said there are long-term plans that would take the plant from eight to 80 tonnes.
"We're so far away from that," Jenkins added of the 80 tonnes maximum. "That's basically because I think this area can't support much more than that."
In terms of emissions, 80 tonnes would bring about 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide (the same as 30 people breathing) and 10 pounds of methane. Summit Energy's fact sheet notes a cow produces 200 to 400 pounds of methane a day.
Initially, Summit Energy was looking to stage out its growth, but has since changed this approach to one large step forward given the $100,000 EA flat fee that is payable to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOE&CC) for any change to operation approvals.
"We'll do it all in one shot, but when we're ready," Jenkins said.
One shot goes beyond the 80 tonnes of processing to potentially include additional plastics such as PVC, ABS and Styrofoam since these plastics are the most harmful to the environment. Should these changes be made Summit Energy would have to go through a rigorous process through the MOE&CC, but would not trigger further public input aside from the current process underway.
Jenkins noted that the system he proposes to put into the plant will only use electricity to melt plastic and is a tested and proven system.
Should everything go smoothly, the Smiths Falls plant will be one of two owned and operated by Summit Energy. The pair is looking at locations in northern New York state. The plan is to get the Smiths Falls site up and running for about six to eight months and then begin the process of opening the American site with a view of opening the doors six months after that.
Summit Energy Inc.
Developing a company is something Jenkins does best. When asked what experience he has in the industry, Jenkins was honest in saying none, adding his role in the company is more strategic.
"I'm really, really good at growing things and making them profitable," he said.
He points to the Nov. 17 meeting as the date when Summit Energy formally launched, but added he and his partner,Tom Harrington have been researching this business prospect for two years.
When asked if they have a headquarters, Jenkins said, "Right now, it's here," pointing to his smart phone. This topic will be on the first working agenda of council Dec. 8 for discussion. The meeting starts at 5 p.m.
insideottawavalley.com |
