Contrary to the media portrayal, the protesters against the proposed incinerator are not merely a bunch of NIMBYs but people from all areas of Cornwall with Cornwall's future at heart. The decision of Cornwall county council to proceed with mass incineration is contrary to the previous guidance on sustainability (and contrary to Lib-Dem manifesto promises).

Electricity made this way does not qualify for rebate under the government criteria for "green" electricity. Devon county council has chosen to pursue a much better course, with smaller, cleaner more efficient plants which will qualify for rebate.

Councillors having first voted to exclude the press and public from this debate, protecting themselves from scrutiny by those who pay their wages and whose interests they are supposed to represent, proceeded to vote behind this cloak of anonymity for a wasteful, oversized £500 million dinosaur without even developing a waste strategy. Is this earning their self-appointed pay increases? The proposed plant is an outdated technology and this decision ties us to it for 30 years, leaving future generations of local taxpayers with the burden of their folly. They even voted down an amendment that an all-party committee examine the costs and contracts properly, awarding Cornwall's biggest ever contract to a French company.

They have washed their hands of all responsibility handing it over to a private company - threatening local jobs in recycling, organic farming and tourism - storing up both environmental and financial problems for the future. Surely, the Lib-Dems have lost all claim to being the party for the environment? Councillor Zoe Fox, Mebyon Kernow environment spokesman, Pengegon