Tire-burning review in N.L. being rushed: NDP

Newfoundland and Labrador residents should be given more than a month to respond to a plan that could lead to a massive number of tires being burned to power a newsprint mill.

Kruger Inc. wants to start a pilot burn of used car tires at Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, and has cited that 40 newsprint mills in the U.S. and Canada already derive their power from tires.

But NDP Leader Lorraine Michael wants government to reject the trial, and give individuals and groups more than 30 statutory days that the environmental review demands.

"It seems to me there's a lot of questions and my concern is that there's not a lot of time for people to get their act together in order to do that," said Michael, noting that a 2008 study in Nova Scotia determined that burning tires is the least environmentally friendly way to get rid of them.

The provincial government has been stockpiling used tires for years, unable to find a commercial purpose for them. The governmentestimatesthat 450,000 used tires are collected each year through its recycling program.

Michael said government should finance an independent review of Kruger's claim that burning tires is environmentally sound.

However Environment Minister Charlene Johnson said Michael is jumping the gun, and said the current review is just one step in what could be a lengthy practice.

"If I determine that more time is needed or that more information is needed, then that's allowed for in the act," Johnson said.

Respondents have until Dec. 2 to submit comments on the proposal.