I enjoyed reading the well-written article entitled, Compromise found on eco-tax on degradable garbage bags, by Mark Micallef (TMID, 7 January).

I would like to add to the article that the Solena Group, Inc. has, for several years, been talking to various government officials and other interested parties about the waste-management problems facing Malta and the potential threat of the waste to the groundwater and air emissions, and its adverse impact on the tourist industry, but no one has wanted to make a decision.

With the Solena Group’s integrated plasma gasification and combined cycle (IPGCC) process, the issue regarding plastic garbage bags would be a non-issue. This is because with the implementation of the IPGCC process, all the organic wastes would be converted to a synthesis gas, which would be used to power a turbine. (The syngas can also be a source for hydrogen.)

Therefore, with the IPGCC process, there would be no need for landfilling by organic waste and the inorganic material would be melted into a vitrified slag that can be employed for construction use. The air emissions from an IPGCC plant are about the same as those from a natural gas-fired plant, ie, low in greenhouse gases, no air pollution, and no ash.

To put this in context, a 20 tonne per hour of waste plant would produce 60Mwh gross and approximately 50Mwh net at a price that is probably lower than that currently being paid now for electricity by consumers in Malta.

Such renewable power will help Malta achieve the EU required Renewable Portfolio Standard and Malta would be eligible for carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol, which means additional revenue. I suppose that our proposal to the government was not accepted for political reasons, but if it had been accepted two years ago, Malta would have been much further forward in meeting EU environmental and renewable energy standards than it is today. We are still willing to help, but we need the

government to ask us to provide the assistance necessary.

Solena is very active in other countries around the world. I suggest that those interested in this IPGCC process should visit our website: www.solenagroup.com

Dennis F. Miller

Chief scientist and

vice-president

Solena Group, Inc.