Disco Road Biogas Utilization Project

WELCOME!

Thank you for attending the first of two public open houses for the Disco Road Biogas Utilization Project.

Today we are here to: • Introduce the Disco Road Biogas Utilization Project • Provide an overview of the approval process and potential environmental impacts • Answer your questions • Ask for your feedback on the project

Please :

• Sign in to stay updated on the project • Take hand out materials • Fill out a Comment Sheet • Review the Display Boards • Speak directly with staff

Note: There is no formal presentation 1

Key Project Elements Project Overview • designed to produce electricity to operate the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility (120 Disco Road), rather than purchase energy from the grid • designed to capture waste heat that will be used to heat the digester tanks and buildings • the City is in the planning and early design stages of the Project and a Draft Project Description Report (PDR) is available Major components of the biogas utilization facility include:

• biogas pre-treatment facilities to ensure the system runs smoothly • 2 generating engines that will produce up to 2.8 megawatts (MW) of power • heat recovery and supply equipment • electrical power connections to City facilities at 120 Disco Road (and potential electrical power connections with 150 Disco Road)

The City is soliciting feedback from the public and Aboriginal communities, and will respond to all concerns and questions. Copies of the Draft Project Description Report are available: • in print at today’s meeting • In print at local libraries – Northern Elms, Humberwood, Rexdale, Albion, City Hall • online at www.toronto.ca/discogreen

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Project Location Location: 150 Disco Road in Etobicoke, near Highways 427 and 409 Land Use: Industrial land owned by the City of Toronto, on a 5.4 hectare property

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How Biogas Facilities Work Start here

Residual Waste, such as plastic bags, sent to Green Lane Landfill

Water added to material

Clean Organic Pulp

Tipping Floor

Green Bin materials collected and sent to transfer stations.

Suspension Buffer Tank

Anaerobic Digester Tanks

Water Removed

Effluent

Digester Solids

Compost

Biogas Biogas Utilization system

Flare

Electricity generation for facility (to remove/reduce reliance on power grid)

Key Words Anaerobic Digestion • A process by which naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria partially break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen • A by-product of anaerobic digestion is biogas

Biogas • A mixture of approximately 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide • Contains minor amounts of other trace gases and compounds • Biogas is a renewable energy source

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Hydropulper processing area

The Approval Process: Renewable Energy Approval (REA) This project involves the generation of electricity from a renewable energy source (biogas from Green Bin waste), for which the City must apply and be granted a Renewable Energy Approval (REA) from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. The REA process is: • governed by Ontario Regulation 359/09 • a strict approval process that requires extensive studies on the project’s potential effects on the following :

• Natural heritage: plants, water, animals • Cultural heritage: archaeology and built heritage • Noise, air emissions and odours

The REA process sets out minimum consultation requirements with the public, municipalities and Aboriginal communities.

Note: See Slide 7 for further detail on project timeline

Source: www.energy.gov.on.ca/images/content/en/fitguide/REA%20Timelines.JPG

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Renewable Energy Approval: Potential Environmental Impacts and Required Studies

Natural Heritage Cultural Heritage Noise, Air Emissions and Odour

• The goal of the natural heritage assessment is to protect natural heritage features, such as wetlands, woodlands, areas of natural and scientific interest. This involves: 1. A detailed review of available

natural heritage information about the area, including online and published sources.

2. Site investigations during which biologists will examine all air, land and water within a minimum of 120 metres of the Project Location to verify the results of the records review, identify additional natural features, and classify features.

• Assessment of cultural heritage resources will be carried out in keeping with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport’s guidance for the REA process. • While archaeological resources are not expected near the Project Location due to use as a landfill, an assessment of archaeological potential will be carried out by a licensed consultant archaeologist. • Since buildings over 40 years of age are situated near the Project Location, an assessment of the Project’s impacts to built heritage resources will be conducted by a qualified heritage consultant.

• Noise from the generators will be assessed to ensure compliance with Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change noise level limits. • Emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter and other parameters into the air will be assessed to demonstrate compliance with Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change standards under Ontario Regulation 419/05. • Sources of odour, mitigation measures and the potential for odour to cause negative effects will be identified.

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Key Project Dates and Activities

• Biogas Utilization Study • PIC #1 (tonight) • Draft Project Description Report • Additional Reports • PIC #2 (Nov.) • Submit REA application

Note: All timelines subject to change

Planning Design Construction Operation De-Commission

Summer 2013 to Winter 2015

Winter to Summer 2015

Fall 2015 to Winter 2016 Spring 2016 To be

Determined

• Receive REA approval • Issue Design/ Build/ Operate (DBO) Request for Proposal • Award DBO Contract

• Start Construction • Prepare Site • Construct facility • Rehabilitate Site

• Commission and start operation of Biogas Utilization Facility • Operate facility for 20 years (expected)

• Remove and salvage facility components • Restore land to acceptable condition for future use

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Next Steps: • Summarize and respond to comments received at this Open House

• Prepare and complete reports for the required environmental studies, taking your feedback into account • Hold a final Public Open House event (estimate Fall, 2014)

Contact Us: www.toronto.ca/discogreen Kate Kusiak, Public Consultation 416-392-2962 [email protected]

or Silvio Abate, Project Engineer 416-392-7088 [email protected]

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We value your feedback and want to hear what you think about this project.

Please complete a comment sheet before you go so that we can take your feedback into consideration.

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City of Toronto: Future Biogas Opportunities

Additional opportunities for Biogas Beyond Disco Road Organics Processing Facility, Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) has the following additional opportunities to develop biogas at 2 other existing facilities: 1. Dufferin Organics Processing Facility – 35 Vanley Crescent, Toronto 2. Green Lane Landfill (landfill gas) - Southwold, ON

These two facilities (along with the Disco Road facility) currently collect biogas and safely flare it on-site. Dufferin Organics Processing Facility is currently closed for expansion and is scheduled to re-open in 2017 (estimated). The City of Toronto’s Solid Waste Management Services is finalizing a Biogas and Landfill Gas Utilization Strategy Study to review and assess options to further use biogas at these two sites, including: • Production of renewable natural gas • Production of methanol • Conversion to heat • Electricity generation

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About the City of Toronto Solid Waste Management Services Division

Mission Statement To be a leader in providing innovative management services to residents, businesses and visitors within the City of Toronto in an efficient, effective and courteous manner, creating environmental sustainability, promoting diversion and maintaining a clean city.

The Division oversees and manages:

• 13 maintenance and operating yards

• Two organics processing facilities

• Seven transfer stations and household hazardous waste depots

• Two materials recovery facilities

• The Green Lane Landfill

www.toronto.ca/garbage

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