PROPONENT:
Manitoba Hydro
PROPOSAL NAME:
Selkirk Generating Station Gas Conversion
CLASS OF DEVELOPMENT:
Class 2
TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT:
Energy
CLIENT FILE NO.:
3253.0
OVERVIEW:
Following a public news release by the Manitoba Government on January 3, 2001, Manitoba Hydro submitted to Manitoba Conservation, on January 5, 2001, a formal notice of alteration (NoA) in accordance with Section 14(1) of The Environment Act for approval pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Act, respecting alterations proposed to be undertaken at the Selkirk Generating Station. The alterations outlined in the notification were:
- to convert the Station from using coal to using natural gas as the fuel source;
- to install low NOx high efficiency burners;
- to remove the coal supply equipment;
- to decommission the coal pile; and
- to decommission the ash lagoon.
The NoA included a commitment to submit a detailed assessment of the environmental improvements and potential impacts by August, 2001. The Director of Environmental Approvals acknowledged the receipt of Manitoba Hydro's NoA on January 29, 2001, and deferred a decision on the matter pending the receipt and review of the proposed detailed assessment report.
In preparation of submitting a detailed environmental assessment of the fuel conversion project, Manitoba Hydro held three (3) public open house meetings on June 5th, 6th and 7th of 2001 to explain, and collect comments on, the proposed gas conversion project, as well as on the new natural gas pipeline project (filed as a separate Proposal under the Act).
On July 11, 2001, Manitoba Conservation received Manitoba Hydro's detailed assessment report titled "Selkirk Generation Station Fuel Switching Project Environmental Report". Copies of the report were placed into the appropriate Public Registries and were also provided to select members of the interdepartmental Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for their review and comment by August 29, 2001. Also, the Director also sent a letter on July 24, 2001, to a list of citizens in the Selkirk area who had formerly expressed concern with the coal burning generating station, providing them with a copy of Manitoba Hydro's letter of transmittal for their submitted report, and advising them as to where they can locate and review a copy of Manitoba Hydro's report on the gas conversion project.
On September 12, 2001, the department sent copies of the comments from the TAC and from the public to Manitoba Hydro for their review and response. Manitoba Hydro responded to all the comments on October 2, 2001. Copies of the responses were provided to each of the authors who had submitted comments. No further comments or concerns were submitted by the authors in response to Manitoba Hydro's responses.
On October 10, 2001, the Director of Environmental Approvals advised Manitoba Hydro that the proposed environmental effects resulting from the alteration were insignificant, and approved the gas conversion project as a minor alteration pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Act conditional upon the revision of the existing Environment Act Licence No. 1645 RRR at some time prior to the scheduled startup of the converted station.
RECOMMENDATION:
A draft revised Environment Act Licence 1645 RRRR, authorizing the operation of the converted Selkirk Generating Station is attached for the consideration of the Director of Environmental Approvals. It is recommended that the revised licence, if approved, be transferred to the Interlake Region for administration, surveillance, monitoring, ongoing compliance evaluation and enforcement responsibilities.
PREPARED BY:
C. Moche, P. Eng.
Environmental Engineer
Municipal, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Approvals Section
May 15, 2002