Brookfield tire burning plan fuels debate

A cement plant's planto burn tires in Brookfield is causing concern in the community, with some residents worried aboutpollution and potential health problems.

About 300 people packed into the Lakeside Bingo Hall Wednesday night to hear why Lafarge CanadaInc.wants to burn old tires in its kilns in Brookfield.

The companyis vying for a contract to collect everyworn out tire in the province —800,000 are generated each year — and burn most of them in a big kiln to fuel its cement plant.

Lafargesays it will follow all the environmental rules, but some residents are still worried.

"Pollution travels with the wind, irrespective of where it is produced," said Allan Sorflaten, with the Shortts Lake Residents Association.

But the community has a lot to lose if the Brookfield plant can't cut costs, said manager Chris Richards.

"If our plant doesn't stay sustainable and cost effective, we're not going to be here. It's just a fact of life," he said.

Lafarge Brookfield is awaiting a decisionfrom the Resource Recovery Fund and the provincial Department of Environment and Labour.

The company's international parent, Lafarge SA of France,already has permits to burn tires for fuel at plants inOntario,Quebec and the United States.