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WHITBY, ON – The Regions of Durham and York, as Owners of the new Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC), advised Covanta today that they have met most, but not all of the criteria of the Acceptance Test for the DYEC.

The Acceptance Test results demonstrated performance above the guarantees for the DYEC with one exception;
minor issues were identified with the (ash) Residue Quantity test results. The Acceptance Test must demonstrate performance for the entire facility, including the environmental and contractual requirements. After a complete evaluation of the current information by the Management Committee (a joint committee of senior staff from York and Durham), the decision not to issue the Acceptance Test Certificate was made based on the technical report and recommendations of the consultant, HDR. Management Committee will advise Regional Council in early 2016 of the next steps.

“We’ve said all along, we will not accept the new Durham York Energy Centre until it is the state-of-the-art, energy-from-waste facility that we set out to build,” says Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for Durham Region. “The facility is not there yet, although they passed all emissions tests, the amount of ash is up about 2.5 per cent more than it should be. The ash quantity issue will not impact operations, but we want this done in strict compliance with our contract.”

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change received the reports for the Source Test, Odour Test, Noise Test and Ash Test and determined that the DYEC is capable of operating in compliance with regulations. Covanta met all environmental requirements, throughput capacity and electrical generation requirements, but fell marginally over the guarantees for ash residue quantity production.

The Environmental Compliance Test reports—including dioxin and furan tests—are posted on the DYEC project website for public review at www.durhamyorkwaste.ca. Environmental reports, as well as a comprehensive overview of the facility and answers to frequently asked questions are also available online. Residents without Internet access are encouraged to use their local library to view the website.

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:
Corporate Communications Office
905-668-7711 ext. 2036