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Sunrise Over The Bluffs; Zachary Bird, a photographer based out of the Durham Region was kind enough to send along this stunning view of the Bluffs at dawn for our readers to enjoy. You can see more of Zarchary’s work at https://www.facebook.com/zachbirdphotovideo/

Biogas Plant In West Hill A Done Deal?

By John Smee

An Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) has been submitted to the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks by Coronation Organics for an Organics Processing Centre (OPC) and Anaerobic Digester at 633 Coronation Drive.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is the process by which organic materials in an enclosed vessel are broken down by micro-organisms, in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic digestion produces biogas. Which consists of primarily methane and carbon dioxide. They are then separated and the methane is considered a renewable natural gas. AD systems are also often referred to as "biogas systems."

The issue for the province of Ontario: Starting in 2022 all commercial organics will be banned from going to landfill. The City of Toronto currently collects household organics in the weekly green bin program. Those are processed at Disco Road and Dufferin Ave. facilities located in industrial areas.

So all that additional rotting garbage is going to have to go somewhere.

At issue for the City of Toronto is that up until July 15th there had not even been a traffic impact study of the new facility.

Coronation Organics commissioned their own study and released it just 9 days before public comment on their proposal was set to expire on July 23rd. (It has since been extended to July 31st)

Unfortunately the study appears to show increased truck traffic only on Lawrence Ave. E. / Manse Rd. / and Beechgrove Dr. No mention is made of how the trucks are going to get there from the 401.

The study also appears to claim 58 truck trips per day. However, there are so many differing numbers put forth by both sides of the issue, as to number of trucks per day, it’s impossible to get an accurate assessment. The study doesn’t mention empty trucks either entering or leaving the facility. Nor does it mention trucks that are currently using the site which operates as a construction waste recycling facility.

The issue for residents in the neighbourhood is that there has been zero consultation. There has been no public meetings (partly due to covid-19). In fact it’s not required by Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks ( MECP).

Coronation Organics states on their website “In December 2019 notifications were sent by Registered Mail to businesses and residents within a 300 meter radius of the facility.”

The community was informed “the facility will accept 1,240 tonnes a day (452,600 tonnes/ year) of non-hazardous waste, or up to 1,240 cubic meters of non-hazardous liquid waste per day. The service area for the facility is the province of Ontario. This facility will operate 24/7 365 days a year. The anaerobic digester system will process organics to generate biogas and organic fertilizer called digestate. All feedstocks will be received and processed inside the OPC.”

In response to the location of the facility and it’s proximity to homes, school, parks etc. Coronation Organics responds “The property that is proposed for the facility is zoned for heavy industrial use, and waste transfer is an allowed use by the City of Toronto By-Laws.”

That statement alone should be most worrisome for area residents.

There are two ECA applications associated with this project, residents can view and comment on them until July 31st via the following links:

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1446

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1444

E-Edition

August 2020 Bluffs Monitor

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Viruses – Foe and Friend

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