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Welcome to the
Plasco OTTAWA
Public Open House
09.2013
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1.1
Regulatory
Requirements
The proposed Plasco Waste Conversion Facility is regulated as
a Waste Management Project in the province of Ontario and
governed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment under
Ontario Regulation 101/07. An Environmental Screening
Report in accordance with the Environmental Assessment
Act is required under this regulation. The purpose of the
Environmental Screening is to identify potential environmental
impacts that may result from the construction, operation and
decommissioning of the proposed project in relation to the
baseline conditions of the site and surrounding area. These
potential impacts are identified and studied. When required,
mitigation measures are developed in order to eliminate or
reduce the likelihood of an adverse impact.
In addition to the Environmental Screening, Plasco is required
to undergo a rigorous environmental approval process in
order to obtain a Site Plan Control Approval from the City of
Ottawa and an Environmental Compliance Approval from the
Ministry of the Environment.
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1.2
Regulatory
Requirements
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
Environmental Screening Process
Ontario Regulation 101/07
Screening
Steps
Proponent decides to commence
process and determine applicable
EA process stream (Refer to Figure 1
in Part A of the Guide and the Waste
Management Projects Regulation)
1
2
Elevation of
Project Status
Prepare and Publish Notice of
Commencement of a Screening Project
Identify Problem or Opportunity &
Provide Project Description
Director of EAAB receives request(s)
for elevation of the project; within
30 days Director will decide to do
one of the following:
A
Deny the request for
elevation
No EAA Requirements
3
Environmental Screening
Requirements
4
Individual EAA Requirements
5
Preparation of Terms of Reference &
an Individual EA
6
Proponent Initiated
7
Government Agencies,
Interested Persons &
Aboriginal People’s Initiated
EAAB Director Initiated
8
Mandatory Steps
Apply screening criteria
checklist to identify potential
environmental effects
Describe the potential environmental
effects, concerns and issues to be
addressed
Consult with interested persons,
Aboriginal peoples & government
agencies to identify issues or concerns
Conduct studies and assessment
of potential environmental effects
B
C
D
E
Deny the request for
elevation with conditions
Refer matter to
mediation before
making decision
Require proponent to
conduct further studies
before making decision
Require proponent to
undertake an Individual
Environmental Assessment
Refer to B.3 of this Guide for details
on elevation requests
Develop impact management
measures (e.g., mitigation measures)
Consult with interested persons and
government agencies to identify
any issues or concerns
WE ARE
HERE
Other Steps
Discretionary
Consulting
9
Director’s Decision
No significant
net effects and
all concerns
resolved
10
9 Significant net
effects and/
or all concerns
not resolved
Conduct additional studies
and assessment of effects and
impact management measures
(in consultation with key parties/agencies)
11 Prepare Environmental Screening Report
(includes results of review and consultation mitigation and
impact management measures)
12
Publish Notice of Completion
13
14
13
Request(s)
for elevation
of project
Proponent submits Statement of
Completion to the Ministry, and project
may proceed subject to any other
required approvals
Preparation of Terms
of Reference and an
Individual EA
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1.3
No request(s)
for elevation
of project
Consultation
Consultation is a key component of the Environmental
Screening Process. The purpose of consultation activities is to
inform, educate and seek input from stakeholders. Stakeholders
are individuals, government agents or organizations that may
have an interest in the project such as:
The Public;
The Ministry of the Environment;
The Ministry of Natural Resources;
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority;
Aboriginal Groups;
Plasco Advisory Committee; and
City of Ottawa.
Consultation is an on-going process and your input is
important to us. We will carefully consider your concerns,
comments and questions during our assessment.
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1.4
Project
Introduction
Plasco Energy Group (Plasco) is proposing to construct and
operate a plasma gasification facility referred to as the Plasco
Ottawa Waste Conversion Facility for the conversion of
municipal solid waste into a synthetic gas that will be used to
generate 22 megawatts of electricity. Residual solids from this
process are converted into a vitrified glass referred to as slag
that can be used as an alternative construction material such as
aggregate. The proposed facility would be located at 4460 Trail
Road, Ottawa, Ontario (adjacent to the closed Nepean Landfill).
MO
IE
OD
N
IVE
DR
N
A
I
BR
R
TRAIL ROAD
LANDFILL
TRAIL ROAD
6
41
PROJECT SITE
Y
WA
GH
HI
M
A
C
D
A
O
* map not to scale
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2.1
Who is Plasco?
Plasco is a private, innovative technology company based in
Ottawa, Ontario that has been conducting research in plasma
technologies since 1986. Decades of research has demonstrated
that Plasco is able to convert waste materials into a synthetic
gas for electricity production and an inert slag that can be used
as aggregate materials in roadways or in building materials in
an environmentally and economically feasible manner.
Valuable knowledge has been gained from operating the
demonstration facility which has allowed Plasco to optimize
the design for the proposed commercial facility.
2.2
The Waste Problem
Canadians produce more than 12 million tonnes of residential
solid waste per year. In Ontario, more than 5 million tonnes
of garbage consisting primarily of domestic, industrial nonhazardous wastes and construction debris is disposed in landfills
each year. Residential waste generated within the City of Ottawa
in 2013 is estimated to be approximately 345,000 tonnes. With a
growing population, the associated volume of household waste is
estimated to increase to 445,000 tonnes per year by 2042. Based
upon current and projected waste volumes, the City of Ottawa
estimates that their landfills will be filled by 2035.
In order to expand the life of the existing landfills and improve the
environment, the City has set aggressive diversion goals to reduce
the amount of municipal solid wastes being landfilled each year.
Municipalities are increasingly looking for alternatives to landfills
in order to manage waste and landfill capacity.
There is a need for further waste reduction initiatives and
innovative technologies to deal with municipal solid wastes.
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2.3
Potential Solutions
for Managing Waste
1.Do Nothing: Continue to landfill waste.
New landfills or expansion of existing
landfills would be required. Long-term
monitoring programs would continue to
mitigate the impacts to air and groundwater.
2.Increase Diversion Programs: Increase
recycling programs, placing sorting facilities
at landfills to remove recyclables and
compostables for further use or treatment
at other facilities. Even with the most
sophisticated diversion programs, a residual
waste stream will still require landfilling.
5.Advanced Conversion Technologies:
Plasma assisted gasification is considered a
zero waste advanced conversion technology.
The synthetic gas is combusted in specialized
engines (similar to natural gas) for the
creation of electricity. There is no bottom ash
because the waste is not burned.
Instead, the solids are converted to an
inert slag that can be used as replacement
construction aggregate material. The process
does not use water but is a net producer of
water by removing the moisture from the
incoming waste and treat it to surface grade
3.Export Wastes: Exporting wastes continues
quality. In the syngas cleaning system a small
to rely on landfilling and creates increased
amount of hazardous waste is sequestered
truck traffic and tailpipe emissions.
and sent for proper disposal in a licensed
4.Incineration: Most modern incinerators
hazardous waste landfill.
are able to reduce the volume of waste by 85%.
Incinerators are heavy net users of water and
generate solids/ash that still requires disposal.
Fly ash created by incineration is hazardous and
requires disposal at a licensed hazardous landfill.
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2.4
What is THE PLASCO
CONVERSION PROCESS?
The Plasco Conversion Process uses plasma assisted gasification
to convert waste into a synthetic gas, which can be used to
generate electricity and a glass like solid. Plasma is ionized
gas. Plasma assisted gasification uses very high temperatures
in an oxygen starved environment (to prevent combustion)
to convert waste material into its basic molecular structures
(hydrogen, oxygen and carbon). Materials that can gasify
such as organics, plastics and textiles are converted to a
synthetic gas that is further used to create electricity. Material
that will never gasify (like glass, metals, and sand) are
converted into a vitrified glass-like solid, commonly referred
to as slag, which can be used as a replacement for common
construction materials such as aggregate.
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2.5
Plasco’s
Conversion
Process
Post
Recycled
MSW
REFINING
CHAMBER
Front End
Separation
CO H2
(SYNGAS)
Inerts
RECOVERED
METALS
Heat Recovery
Power Generator
Plasma
Torches
Steam
Turbine
POWER
Exhaust
CONVERSION CHAMBER
(CRUDE SYNGAS)
CYCLONE
Gas Cooling
& Cleaning
CLEAN
SYNGAS
GE Jenbacher
Engines
Exhaust
Enclosed Flare
Solid
Particulate
CARBON
RECOVERY
VESSEL
Recycled Process Heat
Plasma
P
Torch
Exhaust
Residuals for
Offsite Disposall
Water
Treatment
Solid
Residue
Melter
AGGREGATES
WATER
Surface Discharge
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2.6
Emergency
Ground Flare
Water
Project
Site
The site consists of two properties located in Ottawa at 4460
Trail Road and 4871 Cambrian Road. Both properties are
owned by the City of Ottawa. The facility will be constructed
and operated at 4460 Trail Road, south of the Trail Road
Landfill and abutting the north boundary of the former
Nepean Landfill site. The portion of the site located at 4871
Cambrian Road consists of a pond, agricultural drain and
woodland. Plasco will use the agricultural drain outlet for the
discharge of treated recovered water via a pipeline.
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3.1
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CURRENT ZONING: ME2 [724r]
INTERPRETATION:
File Location: P:\25000\25835- plasco energy ottawa commecial plant\JLR DWG\Civil\25835 C SP1 AERIAL.dwg
CAMBRIAN ROAD AT NORTH END OF THE SUBJECT
PROPERTY PLUS TRAIL ROAD TO THE EAST
CONSTITUTE AN EXTERIOR LOT LINE BASED ON 150
DEGREES INTERIOR ANGLE. AS THE SHORTEST
LOT LINE, MOODIE DRIVE IS THE FRONT LOT LINE.
A
ZONE
REV
DESCRIPTION
DATE
APP'D
A
REVISIONS
CONSULTANT:
JLR No. 25835
www.jlrichards.ca
DATE (YYYY/MM/DD)
DRAWN BY
SK
2013/07/05
DESIGNED BY
RP
2013/07/05
INITIATOR
-
-
CHECKER
TC
2013/07/05
PLASCO ENERGY GROUP INC.
1000 INNOVATION DRIVE, SUITE 400
OTTAWA, ON. CANADA K2K 3E7
TITLE:
PROJECT NO.
AREA NO.
DISCIPLINE
C12011
3000
4L
8
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TYPE:
LYD
SCALE:
DRAWING STATUS: PRELIMINARY - ISSUE FOR REVIEW
A000409/E
July-08-13 10:42:37 AM
OVERALL SITE PLAN
PRINTED COPIES ARE NOT CONTROLLED UNLESS STAMPED "CONTROLLED COPY"
WARNING: THIS MATERIAL OR INFORMATION IN ANY FORM IS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
AND PROPRIETARY TO PLASCO ENERGY GROUP INC. AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED,
PUBLISHED, USED OR DISCLOSED TO OTHERS WITHOUT WRITTEN COMPANY
AUTHORIZATION. UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE AND USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION,
INCLUDING TRADE SECRETS THAT MAY BE CONTAINED HEREIN, BY RECIPIENTS, AUTHORS
OR CREATORS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS LEGAL CONSEQUENCES. PLASCO ENERGY
GROUP INC. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO STRICTLY PROHIBIT THE DISCLOSURE OR USE OF
TRADE SECRETS IN PERPETUITY. c PLASCO ENERGY GROUP INC. (UNPUBLISHED). ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.
SIZE
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DRAWING NO.
A021280
SHEET NO.
REV
1
PLOT DATE:
NAME
1
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The Project Site
The main site is approximately 9.3 hectares. The majority
of the site contains fill deposits placed post sand excavation
activities during the 1970’s and 1980’s. A hydro corridor is
located along the eastern site boundary. A gravel roadway is
present along the southern property line.
The Cambrian Road site is primarily bowl shaped and
consists of a shallow pond, known as the Cohen Pit Pond,
which was created during sand mining activities in the
1960’s. This site was not in-filled post excavation activities
and the pond contains water year round. The Cohen Pit
Pond outlets to an agricultural drain located west of the
pond. This drain is not regulated and flows into the Leamy
Creek Municipal Drain located approximately one kilometre
west of the outlet. There is a woodlot located on the
Cambrian Road site which has been identified as significant
on the Official Plan by the City of Ottawa.
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3.2
Aquatic Features
There are no natural water bodies on or adjacent to the site.
Ponds 4/5 straddle the southern property boundary of the
main site. Both ponds contain shallow groundwater and receive
stormwater flows from the surrounding lands. Pond 5 is also
used for the discharge or treated effluent from the groundwater
treatment system associated with the closed Nepean Landfill.
The Cohen Pit Pond is located in the central area of the
Cambrian Road site and was created by sand mining
activities that began in the 1960’s. This pond contains shallow
groundwater that discharges to an unclassified agricultural
drain that has intermittent flows. The agricultural drain flows
into Leamy Creek Municipal Drain approximately 1.1 km
west of the outlet. Leamy Creek Drain flows in a northerly
direction for approximately 1.5 km until it ultimately
discharges into the Jock River.
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3.3
Terrestrial Features
The Main site contains trees, bushes and variety of plants that
have self-established as a result of the site being left fallow post
sand mining and in-filling activities. A woodlot is present on
the western portion of the Cambrian Road Site. This woodlot
has been designated as significant by the City of Ottawa on the
Official Plan. Both sites will be studied by a qualified biologist
to understand the features and functions of the terrestrial
species and/or habitat present on the sites.
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3.4
Cultural Heritage
AND Archaeological
Resources
Cultural heritage resources are defined as built properties
or landscapes that have design, physical or historical value
to a community because they play an important role in
understanding a place, an event or the people. The Ontario
Ministry of Culture Heritage Properties Database did not identify
any heritage properties on or within 300 metres of the project site.
Archaeological potential for the sites were evaluated as
low potential based upon traditional identifiers such as the
presence of cemeteries, natural water bodies, distinctive
landforms due to extensive open pit mining activities on and
surrounding the sites.
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3.5
Traffic
Plasco estimates that there will be approximately 60 garbage
trucks travelling to the site Monday through Friday for
delivery of waste. Approximately 30 personal vehicles will
travel to the site per shift per day seven days per week.
Access to the site would be from two entrance/exit ways.
Waste vehicles will enter and exit the site from Trail Road.
Municipal waste vehicles currently travel to the Trail Road
Landfill located directly east/northeast of the proposed site
and are queued along Trail Road. These vehicles will be
directed to Plasco’s facility where they will be queued on
the site’s internal perimeter roadway to avoid truck traffic
congestion on Trail Road. Personal vehicles will enter and
exit the site off the east side of Moodie Drive into an employee
designated parking lot.
In order to assess potential traffic impacts, a Traffic Brief will
be prepared to assess:
Truck traffic access to the facility;
Site traffic generation;
Transportation Impacts on the Moodie Drive - Cambrian/Trail Road
intersection; and
Impacts on the operation of the employee access road off Moodie Drive.
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3.6
Water
Impacts
Hydrogeology
A hydrogeological study is the study of the location, depth,
movement and quality of groundwater on and in the
vicinity of the site. Groundwater in the area of the proposed
project site is well understood due to the presence of the
former Nepean Landfill and Trail Road Landfill. Plasco will
undertake a hydrogeological investigation of the sites in order
to establish baseline conditions and assess if impacts could
occur as a result of the proposed project.
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4.1
Stormwater
The site is not equipped with municipal storm sewers.
Precipitation on the site either infiltrates the ground surface
or travels as run-off into the site ponds or roadside ditches.
In order to manage stormwater on the site, Plasco will have
a qualified engineer design an internal catchbasin system
that will outlet to a lined stormwater management pond.
The engineering design and function of the stormwater
management pond will require approval by the MOE.
Effluent Management
Effluent management deals with the treatment of the
recovered water found in the received waste. This water is
treated to appropriate standards depending on the discharge
location. Plasco is currently considering discharging the
treated recovered water by an underground pipeline into the
agricultural drain west of the Cohen Pit Pond. A pipeline
would be constructed and placed under Moodie Drive along
the northern side of Cohen Pit Pond. Further studies are
necessary in order to understand any potential impacts. Once
the studies are completed, the design will be finalized.
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4.2
Air
Noise
Odour
Air
During operations, the proposed project will combust the synthetic
gas in engines in order to create electricity. The synthetic gas will
be cleaned prior to combustion to remove potential contaminants.
The engines will exhaust to the atmosphere and will be equipped
with best available emissions reductions systems. The facility will
have a flare system which will consist of a utility and an emergency
flare, which will be used in start- up, shutdown and emergency
situations. The flares will use natural gas as a pilot fuel. During
flare operations, emissions are also discharged.
The MOE requires that facilities discharging to the atmosphere
meet prescribed standards. Plasco will model the maximum
emission rate to ensure that the facility can operate within
compliance of MOE regulations.
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5.1
Noise
A noise study will be undertaken to assess noise levels
generated as a result of the project and compare these levels
to the acoustical class setting of the site. Noise is modelled
using manufacturer’s technical data and the locations of the
equipment on the site. Based on the modelling data, noise
levels at sensitive receptors (residential homes) surrounding
the site are assessed in order to ensure that the facility is
able to comply with MOE regulations. Should facility noise
levels exceed the maximum allowable noise levels at sensitive
receptors, mitigation measures will be implemented to reduce
the noise level.
Odour
An odour study will be undertaken in order to model
potential off-site odours that may occur as a result of the
proposed project. Odour must not exceed allowable limits
with mitigation measures in place.
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5.2
Human
Health Risk
Assessment
Health and Safety
Human health and safety will be considered for the proposed
project lifecycle. Risks to human health and safety may
include traffic accidents, work place accidents, emergency
situations and releases of emissions to the environment. In
order to protect human health, Plasco will ensure staff have
appropriate training for emergencies such as fire, spill cleanup, and First Aid. Further training for staff will include
the proper handling, labelling, storing and shipping of any
chemicals or hazardous materials on the site. Personal
protective equipment will be provided and staff trained in its
proper use as appropriate.
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6.1
Human Health Risk
Assessment
Are there Project-related chemicals in the environment that can
adversely affect the health of people? How do these chemicals come
into contact with people?
Exposure Assessment
How and to what degree are people exposed to these chemicals?
Toxicity Assessment
What amount of these chemicals is linked to
environmental effects to human health?
Risk Characterization
When predicted exposure levels are compared to exposure limits, is there
a potential health risk? If so, how do we reduce the identified risks?
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6.2
Screening Steps
Uncertainty Analysis & Validation of Data
Public & Scientific Risk Communication
A Human Health Risk Assessment estimates the nature and
probability of a harmful effect to the public as a result of human
activities such as chemical use or discharges to the atmosphere.
In order to understand potential human health impacts, Plasco
will undertake a Human Health Risk Assessment.
Next Steps
& Your
Feedback
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7.1
Phases of the Project
Development Phase
The site, technology, feasibility studies and
draft design are selected during this phase
of the project. Regulatory requirements
are identified and studies commissioned.
Consultation activities begin early to allow
for public and agency input before the final
design. We are currently in the Development
Phase of this project.
Final Design Phase
After the first public open house and agency
pre-consultation, the final design is selected.
Studies are commissioned to understand
potential impacts that the project may have
on a particular site during construction,
operation and decommissioning. When the
studies are completed, a draft Environmental
Screening Report (ESR) is prepared and
given to agencies and the public for review
and comment. A second public open house
will occur to discuss the results. Issues and
concerns will be addressed and the draft
ESR amended to reflect any changes. The
finalized ESR is prepared and submitted to
appropriate government agencies and the
public. A Notice of Completion is published
and the public has 60 days to comment on
the final ESR. If no comments are received,
the project is reviewed by the Ministry of the
Environment.
Upon Approval from the MOE of the ESR,
construction activities can commence
Operational Phase
All permits required for the operation of the
facility must be obtained prior to operations.
After construction is completed and all
permits received, the facility will begin
commissioning for operations.
Decommissioning
The estimated lifespan of the proposed
project is 25 years. With regular maintenance
and renewed contracts, the proposed facility
is expected to last much longer.
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7.1
Construction Phase
Potential Impacts
In order to assess potential impacts that may occur as a result
of the construction, operation and decommissioning of the
proposed facility, Plasco must meet a rigorous environmental
approval process that includes a variety of technical studies.
An environmental checklist provided by the MOE under
Ontario Regulation 101/07 allows Plasco to determine the
studies that will be necessary as part of the permitting process.
These studies currently include:
Discharges to Air (Air Emission Modelling);
Noise Study;
Odour Study;
Traffic Study;
Human Health Risk Assessment;
Natural Features Assessment (Terrestrial and Aquatic);
Hydrogeological Study;
Stormwater Management Plan;
Effluent Management Plan;
Geotechnical Study;
Environmental Site Assessments; and
Environmental Screening Report.
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7.2
Next Steps
Plasco will continue in the Development Phase of the project
which will include:
Completion of Project Design;
Completion of technical and environmental studies and reports;
Completion of the draft Environmental Screening Report;
Host a second Public Open House; and
On-going Consultation Activities with government agencies, Aboriginal Groups and the public.
Please share your feedback with us by speaking with any
member of our project team and completing the Comment
Form provided. Thank you for attending this Open House.
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7.3
THANK YOU
FOR VISITING THE
Plasco OTTAWA
Public Open House
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT
www.plascoenergygroup.com/ottawa
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1.1