PUBLIC WOOLWICH BIO-EN MEETING LAST EVENING

Currrently these public meetings between Woolwich Bio-En and local citizens are being held every two months. The next one is February 3, 2015 in the Elmira public library. Last evening we were advised that the plant is currently operating between 65 and 70% of capacity. Regarding total truck movements, in and out of the plant, the highest daily total was 48. This compares well to the current mandated total of 80.

There was a discussion concerning the Ministry of Environment's inflexibility and bureaucratic complication of what should be a readily straightforward process to deliver produced gas to a neighbouring farm by a pipeline. This operation afterall is all about producing a fuel by using waste foodstuffs to produce bio-gas to fuel an engine to run a generator to produce electricity. The M.O.E. are looking at at least two separate assessments requiring permits prior to any such procedure going ahead. Michael Purves-Smith of the BFCC (Bio-Fuel Citizens Committee) believes that this is a legitmate idea and is willing to lend support to it.

Discussion then revolved around the Renewable Energy Act amendments being sought. While the gas line to the neighbouring farm seems to be out, a pipe delivering heat to the neighbouring pet food plant is a go. Similarily a pipe sending the bio-gas to a service staion eventually at the south end of Elmira is also looking good. This idea of selling gas as a fuel for use in vehicles is apparently being promoted by the provincial Bio Gas Association. Earl Brubacher advised that when these amendments are approved they will be posted to the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry.

There will be some minor changes to the document showing total truck movements and loads produced each month. These will include showing the average tons per truck of incoming raw materials. The difficulties around building a transfer station in order for small loads to be combined into larger ones was mentioned. While truck to truck transfers are both quite normal and physically possible the M.O.E. prefer formal transfer stations such that small loads go into a tank first and then get combined and put into larger trucks.

I am finding these meetings short but informative and to date it must be said that the bio-gas plant is operating without undue stresses or problems with their neighbours. Whether this is due to the relevant technology, local expertise and or a positive willingness to communicate with the public; it is to the credit of all involved.