HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 18, 2008
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PICKERING
Minutes I Meeting Summary
Sustainable Pickering Advisory Committee
Monday, September 15, 2008
3:30 pm
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Doug Dickerson, Chair
Jennifer O'Connell, City councillor, Ward 1
David Pickles, City Councillor, Ward 3
Tom Melymuk, Director, Office of Sustainability
Shawna Mutton, Coordinator, Community Sustainability
Jack McGinnis, Durham Sustain Ability
Renee Michaud, Councillors' Office, Recording Secretary
Guests: Gregory Vogt, President, Eastern Power
Matt Harmer, Project Manager, Eastern Power
Etienne Middleton, Eastern Power
Bob Hunter, Prince Edward County Farms
Item / Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome Councillor Dickerson
Welcome and introductions.
2. Eastern Power Councillor Dickerson
Eastern Power and Bob Hunter, farming partner; were invited
to discuss the Biomass Trial at Eastern Power's Brock West
Landfill Gas Power Plant.
Bob Hunter advised that we need to start testing other
energy sources as many other parts of the world are already
using other sources from non-food agricultural crops such as
straw, corn stover, switchgrass and miscanthus to replace
ethanol.
What we are proposing today is still at the initial development
stages of the project.
Corn stover has the potential of being a good grass energy
source, but we have yet to determine growing, handling,
harvesting and storage.
Bob suggested that we look at all sources of energy, i.e.,
corn ethanol, etc. He noted that these farming methods are
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very common in Europe, but new in North America.
Matt Harmer's role is to develop the project.
Etienne Middleton's role is business development and
financing and Greg Vogt is the President of Eastern Power
undertaking this pilot project.
Tom Melymuk advised that Jack McGinnis is our consultant
for Sustainable Pickering.
A number of energy companies have experimented with
biomass in the past by using co-firing methods.
Eastern Power is preparing a business case to be submitted
to the provincial government seeking funding to assist with
startup costs of the Biomass Trial pilot project.
They would like to include the support of the local
communities where the pilot project is being conducted in
their business case.
Tom confirmed that the City is being asked to endorse the
pilot project over the next 5 t01 0 years.
Presentation Overview
- Target is to test Biomass to produce % of Brock's
available electricity capacity (5 MW)
- Plan to develop in 3 distinct phases: funding; growing;
testing
- Biomass would be sourced from locally grown non-
food agricultural crops such as straw, corn stover and
energy crops like switchgrass and miscanthus
Target operation by the 3rd year
- 5 MW of electricity production, using 5,000 acres of
land dedicated to energy crop
- 30,000 tonnes of biomass per year, delivery by 12
trucks per business day
Timeline
Biomass Program to be developed in 3 stages
starting with:
- 2009 - Development and securing provincial funding
- 2010 - Adaptation of plant and crop establishment
- 2011 - Testing phase
Traffic
12 trucks per business day coming from the north; not
from the populated areas to the south. Brock Road to be
used as major arterial roadway. Truck traffic to contribute
to 1 truck per house during business days.
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Fit with Pickering's Sustainability Plans
If the "target" biomass generation of 5 MW is achieved,
35,000 tones of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions
would be offset annually. Note that these GHG emission
reductions are equivalent to 3.5 X Pickering's Municipal
Operations' annual emissions and over 100/0 of
Pickering's 2016 reduction target.
It was further noted that funding from the government of
Ontario's green investment strategies (IDF and others) would
flow into Pickering. Local green collar jobs would be
maintained and expanded. Local sustainable farming would
be supported and green energy would be produced at an
existing facility and used locally.
Councillor Dickerson indicated that burning coal is not an
option but what are the residual effects of -the ash produced
as a byproduct of burning non-food crops.
The ash byproduct and particulates meet all Ministry
standards and are not harmful to the environment.
Councillor O'Connell stated some concerns over the
emissions from the burning process and the GHG used in the
transportation as well.
Greg mentioned that the emissions from burning plants are
released as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which also
creates a gain in solar energy. The total emissions are
equalized as the product creates positive energy. Research
data from scientific studies is available upon request.
In summary, Eastern Power is seeking the City of Pickering's
endorsement of the Biomass Trial Project at the Brock West
Power Plant to proceed in requesting funding from the
province.
Councillor Dickerson suggested Community Information
Sessions should be held prior to submitting the
recommendations to Council.
The sessions would include participation from Eastern Power
and members of the Sustainable Pickering Committee.
Public feedback is very important and they need to
understand what the Biomass Pilot Project includes, i.e,
growing non-food crops for energy sources.
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Tom Melymuk enquired if Eastern Power has considered
partnership with Universities, such as Guelph University.
All test results will be made public and the process will be
very accountable.
It was suggested that Jack could prepare an agenda for the
Community Information Sessions with possible questions and
answers. This item should be referred as an agenda item at
a future meeting.
Councillor O'Connell expressed some concerns about
presenting this to the public and agreed that we should be
fully prepared prior to holding the Community Information
Sessions.
It is imperative that the public understand that this pilot
project has not yet been approved by Council.
Feedback from all the Community Information Sessions
should be included in the business case to be submitted to
the province.
The Community Information Sessions should be held for all
residents of Pickering.
3.
Jack McGinnis, Tom Melymuk and Greg Vogt to meet to
prepare questions and answers for CIS for discussion at the
next meeting.
Sustainable Pickering Challenge
- Website
- Sponsorship
Tom mentioned that the Sustainable Pickering website will be
upgraded to be more interactive. An RFP will be issued
shortly. This is a pilot project which may lead to a complete
overhaul of the city website as well.
The intent is to acquire sponsorship for the new website to
build strong community partnership and funding.
Some concerns were noted with regards to a possible list of
sponsors and community partners.
Shawna advised that the criteria and levels of sponsorship
need to be determined and once they have a draft proposal it
will be forwarded to Members of Council for their review and
approval.
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Item to be referred to
agenda for next
meeting.
Thomas Melymuk
Shawna Mutton
I te m to be refe rred to
next meeting for
further discussion.
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It was agreed that this would be referred to the next meeting
for further discussion and comment.
4.
Shawna distributed a list of potential sponsors with the intent
of asking Members of Council for review and advise if they
can assist with recruiting sponsorship.
Measuring Sustainability
The results of the Town hall meetings were circulated to
everyone who participated. The summarized report and
indicators were circulated to Members of Council.
Tom indicated that the next step is to prepare a list with
indicators and descriptions. Establish a baseline and
targets.
5.
A survey will be sent out in early 2009 to determine where we
are on sustainability.
Other Business
Enquiries received from residents about possible car pool lot
areas and whether the city would provide this type of space
for commuters.
6.
It was noted that this is usually a provincial responsibility, but
that we could provide links on our website for locations and a
notice about the Smart Commute program.
Next Meeting
- Energy Focus
Counciilor Pickles suggested holding discussions with
builders on energy sources (heating and cooling) and
developing standards to be used for Duffin Heights and
Seaton.
He also suggested to tour the LEED energy home in Oshawa
(built by Marshall) to get a better idea of what energy options
are readily available.
Councillor O'Connell mentioned to invite companies with new
energy sources to a future meeting to show us their products.
Councillor Dickerson advised that he has been in contact with
the Fire Chief in order to arrange for a visit of the new Ajax
Fire Hall on Salem Road.
Meeting Adjourned: 5:20 pm
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Jack McGinnis
ALL
Councillor Pickles
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