Monday October 18, 2021 | DELTA /LOWER MAINLAND, BC
by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
Cleaner air, stronger communities and expanded economic opportunities are the intended outcomes from the latest CleanBC project, turning landfill emissions into renewable natural gas. B.C. investing in renewable gas capture at Vancouver landfill
Today George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Sarah Kirby-Yung, Vancouver deputy mayor and councillor, and Joe Mazza, vice-president of energy supply and resource development, FortisBC, announced a CleanBC project in the Vancouver area that will turn landfill emissions into new energy.
“Through CleanBC, we’re making major investments that will reduce emissions and fight climate change,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “The Vancouver landfill project will remove an estimated 485,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent over the next decade. This is a huge opportunity to replace fossil fuels and provide people, businesses and the city with low-carbon alternatives made from organic waste.”
Renewable gas is created when organic materials naturally breakdown in landfill and release greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon dioxide.
Gas-capture system:
The Province is investing $4.28 million to expand the Vancouver landfill’s gas-capture system through the CleanBC Industry Fund, with matching funds from the City of Vancouver.
“The City of Vancouver is taking action across our operations to address the climate emergency and build a cleaner economy for everyone,” said Sarah Kirby-Yung, deputy mayor and councillor, City of Vancouver. “By working with the Province, we’re able to capture more carbon pollution at the Vancouver landfill and use it to power the city’s activities and create new low-carbon opportunities in the local economy.”
Circular economy:
“This transforms the way we deal with waste,” said Heyman today, saying this is a move toward a “circular economy” where waste reduction is lower. He described today’s project as part of designing “an economy-wide plan that that works for everyone.”
Expanding the current gas collection:
The project will expand the current landfill gas-collection system by installing a system of wells, collectors and piping to capture methane and carbon dioxide that would otherwise be vented to the atmosphere. Landfill gases will be transported for refining into usable renewable natural gas that will be sold to FortisBC and incorporated into the company’s natural-gas distribution system for residents, businesses and the city’s buildings, vehicles and neighbourhood energy utility.
“The Vancouver landfill project is our largest renewable natural gas project to date and a key part of our 30BY30 plan to reduce customers’ greenhouse gas emission by 30% by 2030,” said Joe Mazza, vice-president of energy supply and resource development, FortisBC. “FortisBC is working with the Province through CleanBC and making substantial investments in innovation, energy efficiency and renewable natural gas to ensure we build a cleaner economy together.”
The Vancouver landfill project is part of a larger round of CleanBC Industry Fund investment in 22 projects throughout the province that will reduce emission in sectors such as mining, pulp and paper, and oil and gas.
CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. It supports government’s commitment to climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy for everyone.
===== MORE DETAILS:
* The 320-hectare (790-acre) Vancouver landfill is located next to Burns Bog in Delta and is owned by the City of Vancouver.
* Approximately 73% of the gas emitted by the landfill was captured in 2020. The CleanBC project will increase both the total amount of gas captured and the proportion used for renewable natural gas.
* The CleanBC Industry Fund uses carbon tax revenue paid by large emitters to fund projects that will reduce emissions in sectors such as mining, pulp and paper, cement, agriculture, and oil and gas.
* The Vancouver landfill gas expansion project is expected to reduce approximately 485,000 tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent over the next decade.
===== LINKS:
For more information on the CleanBC Industry Fund and for a full list of projects, visit: www.cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/industryfund
To learn more about CleanBC, visit: www.cleanbc.gov.bc.ca