GOOD ENOUGH FOR SWEDEN SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR OUR LEFT:

Sweden's burning with enthusiasm: Waste-to-energy incineration is clean, efficient and `absolutely feasible for Toronto,' disposal executives say (Toronto Star, Sep. 16, 2006)

With a population of 500,000, Malmo, Sweden's third-largest city, is typical. As part-owner of Sysav, a corporation created by 14 district municipalities, Malmo operates an incineration plant that burns waste and in the process provides district heating and electricity. Indeed, 40 per cent of Malmo homes are heated by Sysav, which also supplies 40 per cent of local power.

The plant, built in 1974, has been updated and expanded several times to meet growing demand and stringent European Union emission standards. Thanks to advanced flue-gas cleaning technology, exhaust is 98 per cent water. It's now so clean the locals didn't make a peep when the most recent expansion was launched last year. After completion in 2008, the facility will generate fully 60 per cent of the region's electricity.