Feb 27, 2008 9:58 am US/Eastern
Burning Trash Could Offer New Source Of Power
Environmentalists Say Plan Is 'Too Good To Be True'
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS) ―
Some American cities are considering burning trash as a source of power, but environmentalists are worried the plan may have hidden pitfalls.
A Pennsylvania company, Alter NRG, says that they have the technology to convert trash into energy. They say that burning trash at extreme temperatures produces a gas that can be used to generate power, and they say there are almost no emissions.
It's new technology that has never been used in the USA, and Sacramento city leaders could be the first to give it the green light, CBS station KOVR-TV reported.
"We believe that this is cutting-edge stuff," said assistant city manager Marty Hanneman.
Environmentalists familiar with the technology say it just sounds too good to be true. They claim they've seen it fail before.
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