Air Quality Permit Application - WordPress.com...local air quality. Metro Vancouver reviewed and...

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Minerals About Weir and our facility We manufacture products like rubber lined steel pipes that help our customers improve operational efficiency, increase the lifespan and durability of their equipment and reduce industrial waste. We’ve been operating in the Lower Mainland since 2013 when we acquired the long established R. Wales Company. We recently built a new state-of- the-art facility in the Campbell Heights North Business Park in Surrey, B.C., consolidating two facilities previously located in Richmond and Delta. We have 125 employees, many of whom live in Surrey. About our permit application Because some activities at our facility will produce emissions, we are required to obtain an air quality permit from Metro Vancouver. We submitted an application in 2016 and in consideration of public concerns about potential emissions, our environmental consultants have reviewed the initial air quality modeling and we have taken steps to significantly reduce the level of potential emissions from our new facility. As a result of these important changes, emissions of applicable air contaminants that will be generated at our new facility are now predicted to fall well within (below) the levels that Metro Vancouver had established to protect public health and the environment in our region. These objectives are health-based guidelines that are consistent in most jurisdictions in North America. Same location, better results Key improvements we made that led to changes in predicted emissions are: • Reducing our hours of operation and selecting refined process emissions factors for the analysis, which better reflect our current and future activity levels. • Improving how emissions will be captured and treated including investing in additional filters, to reduce the amount of emissions released into the air. • Eliminating earlier plans to install a burn-off oven. Weir Canada is a leading provider of products and services for a variety of Canadian markets, including power, minerals, oil and gas, and industrial markets. Weir Canada Manufacturing Facility Air Quality Permit Application

Transcript of Air Quality Permit Application - WordPress.com...local air quality. Metro Vancouver reviewed and...

Page 1: Air Quality Permit Application - WordPress.com...local air quality. Metro Vancouver reviewed and approved Weir’s air dispersion modeling plan prior to our commencing the assessment.

Minerals

About Weir and our facilityWe manufacture products like rubber lined steel pipes that help our customers improve operational efficiency, increase the lifespan and durability of their equipment and reduce industrial waste.

We’ve been operating in the Lower Mainland since 2013 when we acquired the long established R. Wales Company. We recently built a new state-of-the-art facility in the Campbell Heights North Business Park in Surrey, B.C., consolidating two facilities previously located in Richmond and Delta. We have 125 employees, many of whom live in Surrey.

About our permit application Because some activities at our facility will produce emissions, we are required to obtain an air quality permit from Metro Vancouver. We submitted an application in 2016 and in consideration of public concerns about potential emissions, our environmental consultants have reviewed the initial air quality modeling and we have taken steps to significantly reduce the level of potential emissions from our new facility.

As a result of these important changes, emissions of applicable air contaminants that will be generated at our new facility are now predicted to fall well within (below) the levels that Metro Vancouver had established to protect public health and the environment in our region.

These objectives are health-based guidelines that are consistent in most jurisdictions in North America.

Same location, better results

Key improvements we made that led to changes in predicted emissions are:

• Reducing our hours of operation and selecting refined process emissions factors for the analysis, which better reflect our current and future activity levels.

• Improving how emissions will be captured and treated including investing in additional filters, to reduce the amount of emissions released into the air.

• Eliminating earlier plans to install a burn-off oven.

Weir Canada is a leading provider of products

and services for a variety of Canadian markets,

including power, minerals, oil and gas, and

industrial markets.

Weir Canada Manufacturing FacilityAir Quality Permit Application

Page 2: Air Quality Permit Application - WordPress.com...local air quality. Metro Vancouver reviewed and approved Weir’s air dispersion modeling plan prior to our commencing the assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the results of the air quality modeling?

Predicted emissions from our state-of-the-art facility will fall well within (below) the levels that Metro Vancouver had established to protect public health and the environment in our region.

Why are the levels so different between your first and second application?

We revisited the assessment methodology and selected refined process emissions factors for the analysis, which better reflect our current and future activity levels.

We also made specific improvements including:

• Reducing our modelled hours of operation

• Improving how emissions will be captured and treated including investing in additional filters

• Eliminating earlier plans to install a burn-off oven at the new facility

Are these emissions levels safe?

Metro Vancouver’s air quality objectives are health-based guidelines that are consistent in most jurisdictions in North America.

Is the Weir facility a permitted use?

Our property is zoned by the City of Surrey as “Comprehensive Development,” which allows for light impact industry, warehouse uses and distribution centres. Our proposed use is consistent with this zoning and we have obtained an occupancy permit and business licence from the City. Full operations also require an air quality permit from Metro Vancouver, and our application is currently under review. Until a permit is issued, we are not undertaking activities producing emissions.

How can I get more information and provide my comments?

Email your comments to Metro Vancouver at: [email protected]

For more information: http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/Permits-regulations-enforcement/air-quality

Or contact Weir Canada by email at: [email protected]

How does air quality modeling work?

Air quality dispersion modeling predicts emissions for a specific facility based on:

1) The conditions of the facility including:

• Raw materials used

• Product throughput

• Operating conditions

2) Background conditions, for example terrain, wind direction and weather conditions, of the area in which the facility operates

These two modelling inputs are then used to predict potential impacts on local air quality.

Metro Vancouver reviewed and approved Weir’s air dispersion modeling plan prior to our commencing the assessment.

Our commitment

At Weir Canada, it’s important to us to be a good neighbour. We are committed to operating in compliance with the permit requirements set forth by Metro Vancouver. We also will continue to explore new technologies and ways to reduce our emissions further where possible.