From Lynn Perrin. Metro Vancouver is preparing to enter the potential site identification phase of the new waste-to-energy (WTE) capacity procurement process and has developed draft high-level site evaluation criteria which are now available for review and comment. Metro Vancouver is also seeking suggestions and input on additional site identification criteria.
Metro Vancouver and its municipalities manage garbage in a way that aims to avoid waste in the first instance, facilitates recycling and reuse where practical, recovers materials and energy where possible, and uses the most environmentally and economically responsible means of dealing with what remains.
Even after achieving an ambitious waste diversion goal of 70% in 2015 and striving for 80% by 2020, approximately 700,000 tonnes of waste will still remain and need to be managed each year.
To more effectively manage the region’s residual waste remaining after diversion, Metro Vancouver and its municipalities have determined that additional waste-to-energy capacity is the best solution – a decision that was supported by provincial approval of the region’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan. As a condition of this approval, the Minister of Environment requires Metro Vancouver, in developing new WTE capacity, to consider “the full range of possible options both in and out of region in an equal and fair manner.”
In March 2012, the Metro Vancouver Board directed staff “to recommend a procurement process for new WTE capacity that ultimately:
(a) considers all WTE technology options within one procurement process;
(b) allows proposals that include a site or sites along with proposed technology solution; and
(c) allows owners of potential sites to self-identify.”
In October 2012, Metro Vancouver outlined a multi-phase process to develop new WTE capacity. Phase 1 of the process is nearing completion with evaluation of responses to the first request for qualifications (RFQ1), focused on technology only, underway.
Phase 2, the potential site identification (PSI) process, will identify potential sites for new WTE capacity both inside and outside the region, either brought forward by site owners and made available to all proponents, or brought forward by proponents available exclusively to them.
More information on the potential site identification process and the new WTE capacity development process is available here.
As part of the PSI process, Metro Vancouver is inviting comments from stakeholders regarding the draft high-level criteria that will be used to evaluate and develop a shortlist of possible sites, during a comment period extending to June 14, 2013. Refer to the attachment for a list of the draft high-level criteria.
Considering all input received, a recommended list of high-level evaluation criteria will be reported to Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Committee and Board. Following Board approval, the final criteria will be used to evaluate and shortlist proposed sites. Additional detailed criteria will be developed to evaluate project proposals at subsequent phases of the new WTE capacity procurement process.
Additional consultation activities, including public events in the jurisdictions of the potential sites identified, and in both Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District, will take place after the potential sites are shortlisted.
Please provide your comments on these initial high-level evaluation criteria, including any additional criteria you feel should be considered at this time, by June 14, 2013, via:
Online: online feedback form
Email: icentre@metrovancouver.org
Mail: Solid Waste Services
Metro Vancouver
4330 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC V5H 4G8
Considering all input received, a recommended list of high level evaluation criteria will be reported to Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Committee and Board. Following Board approval, the final criteria will be used to evaluate and shortlist proposed sites. Additional detailed criteria will be developed to evaluate project proposals at subsequent phases of the new WTE capacity procurement process.
Additional consultation activities, including public events in the jurisdictions of the potential sites identified, will take place after the potential sites are shortlisted.
Thank you for your interest in the development process for new WTE capacity.
