Kingston Nixes Pricey Biogas Plant Plan

You might think turning waste into energy sounds great, but Kingston is giving the idea a hard pass. The city's utility company, Utilities Kingston, said a proposed biogas plant just doesn't make financial sense. They looked at turning sewage sludge and organic waste from green bins into energy, but the cost was too high. The plant would lose millions each year and need big subsidies. Plus, there weren't enough partners interested to make it work. It's back to the drawing board for Kingston's waste management.

For over a decade, the city has been considering this project. It initially seemed like a good idea to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by turning waste into renewable energy. But a recent business case study showed it would cost a whopping $82 million to build and another $4. 9 million every year to run. That's a big financial risk for the city. The plant was planned for a spot near the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. Some people worried about the smell of methane or the risks of using fertilizer made from waste. But the biggest concern turned out to be money. The city council will decide soon whether to scrap the plan or find another way to handle waste.

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