In an effort to raise awareness on renewable energy methods, and more importantly, which one to use someday in Port Hope, Renewable Energy Management Inc. recently held an open house at the Port Hope Capitol Theater. The event was a success, with dozens of residents flocking to the venue to learn more about the planned waste-to-energy facility proposed by the company.

According to officials from REM, the company is looking at one day building a low-temperature energy-from-waste conversion plant on the 23-acre site situated at Wesleyville Road. If things go according to their plans (approval from the Environment Ministry included), then groundbreaking should take place around the spring of 2011, this according to REM’s chief operating officer, Ed Niewinski.

Of course, a facility that sounds like one that incinerates waste on extremely large amounts is likely to cause concern, and the potential pollution and ash the plant might release into the air was what residents in attendance were worried about. But Niewinski calmed fears by explaining that the plant won’t be an incinerator, but rather, will be one that utilizes a low-temperature gasification process – a system that is slow, with multiple stops that keep the facility from producing large amounts of air pollution.

Port Hope officials will be presented with proposal over the next few weeks to come.