Durham and York Regions are moving forward with the next step in the approval of building an energy-from-waste facility in Durham Region. Durham and York Regions have issued a request for proposals and related technical requirements for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the facility. The request for proposals went to five short-listed proponents who are required to submit by Jan. 15, 2009.

The companies include Covanta Energy Corporation, Urbaser SA, Veolia Environmental Services Waste to Energy Inc.; AMEC/Black & McDonald, Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. (A Waste Management Company) and Green Conversion Systems (Formerly: WRSI/DESC Joint Venture; Fisia Babcock Environmental GmbH, Kiewit Industrial Company, Morgan Stanley Biomass LLC, Babcock & Wilcox).

The selection of a vendor and specific technology for the proposed energy-fromwaste facility is part of the Environmental Assessment process currently being undertaken by both Durham and York Regions to examine ways in which to manage residual waste – the waste that remains after composting and recycling. Durham and York Regions began working together on a solution for residual municipal waste in 2005 and the proposed incinerator was accepted by Durham Regional Council on May 28, 2008. The preferred site in Clarington is a 12- hectare site located between Courtice Road and Osbourne Road, just south of Hwy. 401 in the Clarington Energy Park.

The site is also approximately 1.2 km east of the Clarington/Oshawa border. Next in the Environmental Assessment step includes a number of site-specific studies to address any potential air, land or water impacts, in addition to related health concerns.
For more information on the Durham/York Residual Waste Study, visit www.durhamyorkwaste.ca.