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WHITBY, ON – The Regional Municipalities of Durham and York are pleased to announce the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) began processing solid waste on Feb. 13. This state-of-the-art facility can process up to 140,000 tonnes of waste each year, which will generate 17.5 gross megawatts of renewable energy  enough to power between 10,000 and 12,000 homes.

“After years of strategic planning and research to develop an innovative long-term solution for managing waste, I am pleased to announce the Durham York Energy Centre is now operational,” says Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for Durham Region. “Durham Region has secured a responsible solution to the dilemma of waste disposal in Durham. This facility will shine the spotlight on our position as leaders in waste management in North America.”

“Durham Region and York Region have a long history of working collaboratively on projects for the benefit of both
municipalities,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “The Durham York Energy Centre is the most recent example of a sustainable solution to a serious challenge affecting our respective municipalities. This facility will reduce the volume of garbage going to landfill by up to 90 per cent, which supports the goals of York Region’s waste diversion strategy.”

Emissions from the stack are continuously monitored to ensure compliance with stringent Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change air quality standards and Environmental Compliance Approval limits. Environmental reports, including current emissions data, are available online, as well as a comprehensive overview of the facility and answers to frequently asked questions. Residents without Internet access are encouraged to use their local library to view the website. When construction at the DYEC is complete, the public will also be able to access the website at a workstation located in the DYEC Visitor’s Centre. Continuous emissions monitoring data will also be posted on a large electronic board outside of the visitor’s centre, easily visible to passersby once construction is finalised. For the most up-to-date information on the facility, please visit the newly re-launched website, www.durhamyorkwaste.ca.

“The Durham York Energy Centre follows strict limits on air emissions as imposed and monitored by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change,” said Cliff Curtis, Commissioner of Works for Durham Region. “With the revamped project website, we’re able to provide an innovative online resource where residents of Durham and York Regions can easily find the answer to their energy-from-waste questions  including current emissions data  showing that the Durham York Energy Centre operates in a safe, transparent and environmentally responsible manner.”

“York Region Council strongly endorses the fourth “R” – energy recovery,” said Erin Mahoney, York Region’s Commissioner of Environmental Services. “This facility will process 30,000 tonnes of residual waste from York Region each year and further our already high, diversion from landfill rates. We are pleased to partner with Durham Region on the first energy-from-waste facility approved in Ontario in the last 22 years.”

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. Durham Region’s portion of project funding is through the federal Gas Tax Fund. 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:
THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM:
Joanne Paquette – Manager, Communications
905-668-7711 ext. 3732 or joanne.paquette@durham.ca

THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK:
Barbara Moss – Communications Specialist
905-830-4444 ext. 71237 or barbara.moss@york.ca