Expert Consulting Services:
Associated Services:
Sectors Served:
BCX staff provide consulting services primarily to industry, planners/developers and law firms. Our particular areas of expertise include:
Cement plant and lime plants;
Quarries and pits;
Hot -mix asphalt plants;
Ready-mix concrete plants;
Recycled metal facilities;
Foundries;
Automotive Manufacturing; and
General Manufacturing
CERTIFICATES OF APPROVAL (AIR & NOISE)
Anyone emitting a contaminant (including noise) to the atmosphere is required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to obtain a Certificate of Approval (Air and Noise) [C of A] prior to the construction and operation of their facility. If a facility that has a C of A changes its operations (e.g., addition of new equipment, changes in the maximum production rate), then that facility must apply to the MOE for an amendment to their current approval.
New and amended Cs of A are granted through Ontario Regulation 419/05, the regulation that governs air contaminant emissions to the atmosphere in Ontario.
An application for a new or amended C of A must include:
· An emission summary and air dispersion modelling report (ESDM) (i.e., what a facility emits to the atmosphere; how the emitted material is diluted as it moves through the atmosphere; and how the Point of Impingement (POI) concentration compares to the MOE’s POI limit);
· An acoustic assessment report, if the facility meets certain criteria;
· Completed application forms; and
· An MOE review fee.
Upon receipt of the application, an MOE application processor reviews the documentation to ensure that it is complete. A description is then posted on the MOE’s Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) website for 30 days to elicit public comment. Complete applications are then forwarded to an MOE review engineer (and an MOE noise reviewer if there is a detailed noise assessment).
Why Choose BCX to Prepare Your C of A Applications?
BCX staff have a solid understanding of the MOE’s approval requirements through our many years of experience preparing accurate and complete applications. Our team has worked extensively with MOE District Officers and the MOE’s Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch who know and trust our competency and professionalism. This earned trust helps us to help our clients obtain timely approvals; negotiate approval conditions and seek clarification on policy. Our applications get approved.
To keep our knowledge up-to-date and to help to promote the best interests of our clients, BCX participates in the Reg. 419 Air Practitioners group, which is a select group of consultants, industry and MOE representatives who discuss the practical implementation of new policies and develop guidance material.
ANNUAL REPORTING
The provincial and federal governments and some municipalities in Ontario require annual emissions reporting to air and/or water and/or disposal/recycling. BCX staff provided tailored assistance to our clients ranging from simple clarifications to full submissions.
Why Choose BCX to Prepare Your Annual Reports?
BCX staff have provided assistance to clients with respect to NPRI, Ontario Regulation 127 and federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting since the requirements came into force. New provincial and municipal annual reporting legislation are now in effect and BCX staff have kept up-to-date and informed on their requirements by being actively involved in stakeholder discussions and training sessions.
BCX strive to develop efficiencies for multiple annual reporters. We provide clients with training and understanding of their various reporting requirements and work with them to ensure that accurate reports are generated and submitted on time.
National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
NPRI is a Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) mandated program designed to track Canadian emissions, releases and transfers of approximately 365 hazardous/priority substances. Industrial facilities that meet certain minimum requirements must assess their annual manufacture, use or otherwise production of NPRI substances and if they exceed the NPRI threshold for a substance(s) report emissions to air, water and disposal/recycling of that substance(s) to the Federal Government by June 1st of the following year.
Ontario Regulation 127 (O.Reg. 127)
O. Reg. 127 is an Ontario Environmental Protection Act mandated program designed to track air emissions of acetone from industry across Ontario. Industrial facilities must assess their reporting requirements on an annual basis and, if necessary, file a report by June 1st of the following year.
Toxics Reduction Act (TRA) – New
TRA is an Ontario Ministry of the Environment mandated program under the Toxics Reduction Act designed to reduce the use and emission of toxic substances. TRA uses the same toxic substance contaminant list and reporting thresholds as NPRI, therefore, if a facility reports to NPRI it is required to report to TRA if it is part of the manufacturing and mining sectors. Reporting requirements are phased-in based on two groups of toxic substances.
Reporting on the first group of toxic substances is due June 1, 2011 (based on data collected during 2010) with Toxic Reduction Plans and Summaries due December 31, 2011. The first group of toxic substances includes several metals, speciated volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxins and furans.
The second group of toxic substances consists of the remaining NPRI reportable substances with the first reports due June 1, 2013 (based on data collected during 2012) with Toxic Reduction Plans and Summaries due December 31, 2013.
Greenhouse Gas Reporting (GHG) - New (Provincial)
Federal Greenhouse Gas reporting is a Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) mandated program to assess the release of greenhouse gas emissions and submit a report if the facility emits at least 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the previous calendar year. Annual reports to Environment Canada are due by June 1st of the following year.
Provincial Greenhouse Gas reporting is an Ontario Environmental Protection Act (EPA) mandated program to assess the release of greenhouse gas emissions and submit a report if a facility from one of the industrial sectors identified in the regulation emits at least 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the previous calendar year. The first annual reports to the Ministry of the Environment are due June 1, 2011 (based on data collected during 2010).
City of Toronto Environmental Reporting, Disclosure and Innovation Program (ERDIP) – New
ERDIP is a City of Toronto mandated program under By-law No. 1293-2008 Chapter 423 designed to track the use and release of 25 priority substances from all facilities (there are some specific exemptions) within the City of Toronto that manufacture, process or otherwise use these substances. The annual reporting thresholds are significantly lower than those for NPRI reporting. Reporting requirements are phased-in based on sector in 3 groups.
The first group of sectors (food and beverage manufacturing, tobacco products, printing & publishing, chemical manufacturing, wood industries, power generation, and water & wastewater treatment) are required to submit the first annual reports by June 30, 2011 (based on data collected during 2010).
The second group of sectors are required to submit the first reports by June 30, 2012 with the remaining sectors required to submit the first reports by June 30, 2013.
DUST AND ODOUR MANAGEMENT PLANS
As a result of public complaints and/or a Condition of a Certificate of Approval (Air & Noise), the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) may require that a facility prepare a dust and/or odour management plan.
Typical dust and/or odour management plans need to include:
(1) Identification of the main sources of fugitive dust and/or odorous emissions;
(2) Potential causes for high emissions resulting from these sources;
(3) Preventative and control measures in place or under development to minimize the likelihood of high emissions from the sources ;
(4) An implementation schedule for Plan, including training of facility personnel;
(5) Inspection and maintenance procedures and verification initiatives to ensure effective implementation of the preventative and control measures; and
(6) Documentation and record keeping protocols
Why Choose BCX to Prepare Your Dust and Odour Management Plans?
BCX staff work with you to develop safe and practical dust management plans taking into consideration capital and operating costs and facility resources. Having prepared numerous plans tailed to the size and complexity of each facility, BCX can help you to successfully manage MOE and public nuisance dust and odour concerns/complaints.
ADVANCED AIR DISPERSION MODELLING
The commonly used advance air dispersion models are AERMOD and CALPUFF. Advanced air dispersion modelling exercises using these models are typically required to demonstrate compliance when applying for Certificate of Approval (CofA) Application for facilities with NAICS codes under Schedules 4 and 5 of Ontario Regulation 419/05 (Reg.419) and for facilities that wish to use Schedule 3 standards as specified in Reg. 419; and to support air quality impact assessments.
Why Choose BCX for your Advanced Air Dispersion Modelling Needs?
BCX air modelling team has extensive air quality modelling experience, has a firm understanding of the MOE’s Air Dispersion Modelling Guideline for Ontario under Regulation 419/05 and are familiar with air modelling guidelines for other provinces. Our experiences using computer source codes for the advanced models allow us to have a solid understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the computer interface, and to optimize the model set up and run time. Our strong understanding of the characteristics of different source types, impact of building downwash and meteorological conditions allows us to provide practical air emission mitigation options to achieve environmental compliance and to reduce environmental impacts if required.
BCX air modelling team is also experienced in preparing meteorological data sets using facility onsite meteorological data for advanced air dispersion models.
LAND USE COMPATIBILITY STUDIES AND AIR QUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
Land Use Compatibility Studies and Air Quality Impact Assessments are typically required as supporting documentation for:
(a) Planning/Zoning applications;
(b) Aggregate Resource Act licences;
(c) Environmental Impact Assessments / Environmental Assessments
These studies use a variety of tools including Guideline D-6 separation distances; local meteorology; complaints analysis; air dispersion modelling , etc. to assess the potential (in terms of magnitude, extent, duration and frequency) for human health and nuisance impacts of either existing industries on new residential development; or of new/expanded industry on existing land uses (e.g. residential, agricultural).
Why Choose BCX to Assess Land Use Compatibility?
BCX staff have completed a wide range of land use compatibility studies/air quality impact assessments for both new residential developments and for new/expanded industrial uses including quarries and waste management facilities. Our success lies in our understanding of the site background and potential opposition to the proposed new /expanded use; our understanding of the time constraints faced by planners; and ability to prepare reports tailored to the target audience.
