About 200 local residents took the opportunity to exchange views and concerns with a panel of Lafarge North America's Whitehall (Pa.) plant management and consultants about its Plastic-Derived Fuel (PDF) Project at a community information session earlier this year.

Moderated by former State Senator Joe Uliana — now with Malady and Wooten Public Affairs — the session began with panel members presenting detailed information on the major aspects of the proposed initiative:

• Its value to the Whitehall plant as a clean alternative fuel source.

• Its value to the community as a way to eliminate locally generated nonrecyclable plastic currently being landfilled.

• The environmental impact to the community and the safety of plant employees, contractors, and visitors.

Following the presentation, members of the panel responded to the questions of several attendees. Plant Manager Dave Dziubinski noted that Whitehall recently captured the inaugural Cement Industry Environmental Award, and has a successful 10-year record with its Tire-Derived Fuel project, a similar waste-to-fuel program that met similar public concerns.