Ajax — February 2, 2009
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER - DURHAM-YORK EFW WASTE EA
Durham and York Regions began their Environmental Assessment (EA) study in 2005 with the objective of identifying a long-term local solution for their waste. In June of 2006 the preferred alternative of “thermal treatment” was recommended by the consultants and adopted by Councils.
The Regions’ consultants — Jacques Whitford and Genivar — expect to complete the EA study by mid-June 2009 for adoption by the two Regions prior to the summer recess. Both consulting firms are members of the Canadian Energy-from-Waste Coalition. The Coalition’s mission statement states in part: “We stand for the promotion, adoption and implementation of energy-from-waste technology for the management of residual
materials.” ()
Starting out as 50/50 partners with York Region dropping down to 12% at one point, York currently has a 21.4% stake in the project.
The preferred site was adopted by the two Regions in January 2008 and is located in the Municipality of Clarington, west of the Darlington Nuclear Generating station. Clarington Council’s official position is that they are an unwilling host community. A Host Community Agreement (HCA) has not been concluded to date.
The two Regions adopted the EFW business case in May 2008. The estimated capital cost is $198,000,000 with annual operating costs at $17,000,000. Durham Region intends to apply federal gas tax funds to pay for their share of the facility, which is estimated at $155,000,000. Durham expects 33 jobs would be created once the facility is in operation. At the time the business case was adopted, Durham Region had no power purchase agreement with the Province of Ontario.
Up to one third of waste burned remains as ash requiring disposal or further treatment. The business case assumed that bottom ash would be exported to a landfill in Warwick Township, in southwestern Ontario, with the disposal method for hazardous fly ash not specified.
Requests for Proposals (RFP) went out August 22nd, 2008 with vendors to submit bids by February 19th, 2009. The RFP is soliciting proposals to design, build and operate an Energy-from-Waste (EFW) facility of 140,000 tonnes per year of operating capacity at startup and a 25-year operating contract. The Regions are examining options to grow the capacity to 400,000 tonnes per year.
The five pre-qualifed vendors are:
• Covanta Energy Corporation
• Urbaser S.A.
• Veolia/AMEC/Black & McDonald
• Wheelabrator Technologies
• Green Conversion Systems (formerly WRSI/DESC Joint Venture).
Durham Region has not held any public consultation sessions about the incinerator project since the fall of 2007.
The Algonquin Power "Energy-from-Waste" incinerator in Brampton processes 174,000 tonnes of solid waste each year. It accepts residential waste from from Peel Region, waste from Pearson Airport as well as Industrial, Commercial and Institutional waste. The facility opened in 1992 and Algonquin Power Systems Inc. is the current operator. The 2006 Air Emissions Monthly Summary reported exceedances for carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride gas, nitrogen oxides and opacity. See pages 4-7: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/compliance/comp06/data/2006%20Air%20Emissions%20All%20Regions.pdf
The Durham/York Incinerator Project website is: www.durhamyorkwaste.ca
Media Contacts:
Wendy Bracken, Newcastle
Louis Bertrand, Bowmanville