Email icon Back to Search
WHITBY, ON – The Regional Municipality of Durham, Works Department would like to inform residents and businesses that the new Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) has entered the testing phase.

Covanta, the facility operator, will conduct tests of the facility as part of the commissioning process prior to the first delivery of waste. Early testing will include cleaning of the steam process piping to ensure that the facility is ready to begin processing waste and generating energy. The process, known as steam blows, will create a steam plume and noise from the facility. The plume is only steam and does not pose a risk to the public or the environment. The cleaning cycle will be repeated several times.

The DYEC has entered the final phase of construction and increasingly start-up operational activities will begin onsite. Please note, the first receipt of waste is anticipated to occur in the coming weeks.

The DYEC will be Durham's primary long-term disposal option for waste that cannot be recycled or composted. The DYEC's maximum capacity is 140,000 tonnes of waste per year, which would generate 17.5 megawatts of renewable energy-enough to power around 10,000 homes.

The facility will meet the most stringent environmental standards and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by keeping waste out of landfills, generating electricity and recovering metals for recycling. Compliance information will be available to the public, including access to all submitted reports and information, via an on-site display board and on the project website.

Funding for this project was made possible by the federal Gas Tax Fund. For more information on the Durham York Energy Centre, including project milestone announcements, visit www.durhamyorkwaste.ca, call toll-free at 1-800-667-5671, or email infod@durhamyorkwaste.ca.

- 30 -

Media inquiries:
THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM:
Joanne Paquette – Manager, Communications
905-668-7711 ext. 3732 or joanne.paquette@durham.ca