Bringing Plasco Energy Group’s waste-to-energy technology to Red Deer County tops the list of council priorities this year.
Council approved a short list of five strategic priorities for the coming year on Tuesday. They were hashed out by council during a meeting last November and are meant to provide direction to administration.
Mayor Jim Wood said Plasco’s No. 1 position reflects the municipality’s enthusiasm for the Ottawa-based company’s plan to build a $100-million plant that can convert 200 tonnes of garbage a day into a syngas that will fuel generators to create electricity.
“Plasco has been a huge priority of mine and all the rest of council for quite some time,” said Wood.
“It’s the right thing to do with garbage. Not to put it in a hole in the ground.
“To actually see garbage turned into a valuable commodity like electricity is so exciting for Red Deer County.”
Wood said he has met with Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen and provincial government representatives to show support for Plasco’s efforts to line up millions in federal government funding.
There has been no word yet on that funding and the project is well behind schedule.
“Right now, we’ve been hoping that this thing would have materialized for quite some time — in fact for years,” he said. “But I believe we’re getting close to hearing an answer, and hopefully it’s the right way.
“But we’re very optimistic that things are still going.”
Council also has its sights set on revamping a pair of major plans that guide development in the area, including the Intermunicipal Development Plan with the City of Red Deer and the county’s own Municipal Development Plan.
Given the growth in the area, it’s important to regularly update those kinds of planning documents, said Wood, pointing out the Municipal Development Plan was last updated in 2007.
More planning has been proposed for the Hwys 2 and 42 area near Penhold.
Wood said that area has grown in importance as city growth costs the county land and tax base through annexation.
Rounding out the five top priorities is the county’s road plan. The county has a 10-year road plan and is looking at a new five-year plan, which will include a review of road priorities.
The county will also be looking at area structure plans for Gasoline Alley and Pine Lake.
Another project on council’s radar will be the historic Mintlaw Bridge.
Last November, council approved spending up to $350,000 on the 98-year-old former Canadian Pacific Railway span across the Red Deer River, about eight km southwest of the City of Red Deer.
The east and west approach piers on the bridge are rotting away and it is feared if they are not repaired the bridge — which could one day be restored as part of a walking and biking trail — will be a writeoff.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com