The plant, for some time now, has been considered the model from which to draw inspiration for the closure of the waste cycle in Trentino. In a transversal way: the Bolzano waste-to-energy plant was taken as an example by the provincial council, but also by the mayor of Trento Franco Ianeselli. And from all the first citizens, which they organized with the Council of Autonomies an inspection of the structure of the South Tyrolean capital.
The impact
Now, waiting for the issue of the Trentino plant to return to the center of the political agenda to resolve the (crucial) issues that still need to be indicated – localization and technology — starting the debate from Bolzano is the third council commission led by Vanessa Masè (La Civica). Who yesterday morning reached the South Tyrolean structure to learn about its functioning, management and potential. «It was a technical inspection» explains Masè. «During the visit, data in hand – continues the president of the commission – the characteristics were explained to us of the waste-to-energy plant”. Insisting on two aspects, also central to the Trentino debate: the issue of emissions and the economic aspect. «It has been confirmed to us – reiterates the councilor of La Civica – that there are no problems from an environmental point of view and that monitoring is continuous. While regarding the impact of district heating, the positive impact on the economic level has emerged”. Hence Masè’s assessment: «It is a safe and unavoidable choice, also for Trentino». The president of the third commission therefore has no doubts about the Bolzano model: “It is the best example.” Also for the publicly controlled management which had convinced him Council of autonomies. But the road to the Trentino plant is paved with decisions to be made, warns Masè: «There are evaluations to be made. For example on the sizing of the structure.” And if the councilor of La Civica has no doubts about the technology – “Waste to energy is the only possible choice, there is no story” she clarifies – some unknowns remain open about the location. «The plant — underlines Masè — must be close to the entities using the energy. In fact, in Trento or Rovereto.” Keeping one aspect in mind: «Considering that the territory it will host the plant will also have compensationsthe benefits will be important.”
The interest
And the Democratic Party is also watching Bolzano with interest. «As conceived, the South Tyrolean waste-to-energy plant is interesting» observes Michela Calzà. You reiterate “the need to dispose of the residue currently destined for landfills”. And he’s aiming for a return economic situation that emerged during the inspection Bolzano: «Last year’s high bills in the South Tyrolean capital had a limited impact thanks to energy production». Having said that, the route in Trento will not be a walk in the park. “The cycle must be closed” is the firm point of the Dem councilor. Which does not spare criticism of the council: «In the addendum to the fifth update of the provincial waste plan there was no courage to make choices on technology and location, agreeing them with the territories». But the choice of system, warns Calzà, will have to be based on a precise framework: «Updated waste separation data must be available, it will be necessary to understand whether the other plants in the province will remain open and the costs of the plant will have to be analysed».
However, the vice-president of the commission, Lucia Coppola, did not go to Bolzano. “I’ve already been there once” cuts short the representative of Green Europe, who has always been against the construction of a final plant. «And I remain of this opinion» clarifies Coppola. «Better – she explains – to push on waste separation, on homogeneous management across the provincial territory, on the reduction of packaging. On this matter, I am ready to re-present the remaining bill pending in the last legislature”. Because, he concludes, “the incinerator is useless, expensive and harmful to the health of citizens”.
Filippo Degasperi (Onda) did not take the visit to Bolzano well.
The attack
«Instead of going to the South Tyrolean plant – he thunders – it would be better to organize an inspection of the biomechanical waste treatment center in Rovereto». A visit requested for some time by Degasperi, who however never received a response. «And yet – he reiterates – national reports reveal that that center is underutilized». In essence, according to «Waste Monitor 2020», with approximately 17 thousand tons of waste treated per year, the Rovereto plant «is confirmed as the last national plant in terms of quantity managed”, much below the national average. «We should try to understand – urges Degasperi – the reasons for this situation. But no one ever answered me.”
