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Whitby, Ontario – The Regional Municipality of Durham would like to advise residents that the Continuous Emissions Monitoring data indicated an exceedance of the carbon monoxide (CO) four hour rolling average at the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC). CO is monitored as an operational parameter indicating combustion performance. All other emissions were in compliance.

Boiler #2 had just completed its planned spring major maintenance on Thursday, March 1, with waste being fed to the boiler that afternoon. On Friday, March 2, a CO spike led to the four hour rolling average exceedance of 48 mg/Rm3 (milligrams per reference cubic metre). This was an exceedance of an in-stack emission limit of 40 mg/Rm3 , which is a Performance Requirement under Schedule C of the Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA).

In accordance with regulations, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) Spills Action Centre was informed of the exceedance on Friday, March 2. The DYEC Boiler #2 was back online within three hours of the event and is performing within the requirements of the ECA.

The MOECC has imposed strict limits on the air emissions for the DYEC, ensuring that this facility will operate in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Current emissions monitoring data is posted online at the project website www.durhamyorkwaste.ca and on a large electronic board outside of the visitor’s centre. Ambient Air reports, as well as a comprehensive overview of the facility and answers to frequently asked questions are available online.

The Durham York Energy Centre, located in Courtice, is Durham Region’s primary long-term disposal option for waste and only processes the household waste remaining after Durham and York Regions’ aggressive composting, recycling and reuse programs. Both regions are leaders in waste diversion with diversion rates consistently above 50 per cent. For more information on the Durham York Energy Centre, visit www.durhamyorkwaste.ca, call 1-800-667-5671, or email info@durhamyorkwaste.ca.

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Media inquiries:
Corporate Communications Office (CCO) The Regional Municipality of Durham 605 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 905-668-7711 ext. 2036 If this information is required in an accessible format, please call 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2834.