Dear Editor,
I am responding to the opinion article in The Daily Herald on Tuesday May 28, 2013 entitled "Burning money or garbage" written by an unnamed concerned citizen.
Toward the end of July 2011 I contacted a company here in the US to inquire if they would have an interest in doing a wind energy project on St. Maarten. During the course of the conversation I was told, yes, they could do wind, but they also had a company that could provide a waste to energy plant. I asked for and received additional information about their system. After some study of their system I had some questions and once I received answers to them I put together an email to then Minister of VROMI Theo Heyliger outlining how I felt this company could be of benefit to St. Maarten.
Since what was being outlined would require No capital investment on the part of St. Maarten Minister Heyliger was initially somewhat skeptical stating what was being proposed as sounding like "The Holy Grail". He did however say he was willing to and eventually did meet with representatives of the company.
It seems anything in St. Maarten no matter how beneficial to the island can be and usually is, turned into a political football by the various parties. This was something I wanted to avoid because of the huge upside potential this project could have for St. Maarten. So around the same time I contacted Minister Heyliger, I also shared with William Marlin who was then the leader of the opposition as well as Kendall Dupersoy, the information being proposed to Minister Heyliger for his consideration.
When the first government fell last year William Marlin replaced Theo Heyliger as the Minister of VROMI, in effect becoming the new point man on the WTE plant. Based on the announcement of last week it seems things have moved forward to the point where the solution to a long standing problem is in sight. The company I initially contacted is one of the finalists along with three other companies. Who has the best proposal? That remains to be seen and decided upon by whoever ends up in charge of VROMI once the current political situation is finally settled.
However I must take exception to the spin this "concerned citizen" wrote, throwing out figures of $120 million being spent for a $40 million dollar plant and asking where the other $80 million was going. Why would he ask this? I'm guessing in order to create some sort of melee in the court of public opinion. I'm also at a loss as to where he is getting his figures. I would however urge him to re-read the article paying attention to where it was stated the WTE plant will have no financial impact on the people of St. Maarten. The people are not being asked to foot the bill! The initial costs for the plant are the responsibility of whatever company is selected. They in turn will recover their investment through the sale of the power produced by the plant to GEBE.
Far from being "the straw that broke the camel's back" this project is a "gift horse" that no one needs to look in the mouth. Solving the landfill problem and reducing the cost of electricity to the people of St. Maarten is a win, win in anyone's book.
Andy Croxall
