(Fogdog Energy)

By Sheldon Spackman

Carbon Fluff

No Landfill Disposal Facility in Sylvan Lake to be ready by year’s end

Jan 27, 2020 | 2:14 PM

A facility designed to divert waste from Sylvan Lake’s landfill and convert it into fuel is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

Officials with the Town of Sylvan Lake say Fogdog Energy’s proposed No Landfill Disposal Facility (NLDF) is expected to be operating no later than Dec. 15, 2020 – two years after a contractually obligated “effective date”, as per a Master Services Agreement between the Town and Fogdog.

According to Fogdog’s website, if approved by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP), Sylvan Lake’s NLDF would take waste products – regular waste, recycling, and compost – and convert it into carbon “fluff.”

The “fluff” would then be sold for conversion into hydrocarbon products such as diesel and gasoline.

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Virtually any form of waste, excluding glass, metals, and some hazardous waste, would be accepted, meaning residents would no longer have to sort recyclables from regular garbage.

The technology is said to be used throughout Europe, but is relatively new in Canada.

In addition, the facility is anticipated to divert approximately 15+ tonnes per day from the Red Deer landfill, which company officials say means less greenhouse gas (methane) emissions.

Other expected benefits include a decrease in disposal fees and transportation costs in Sylvan Lake, and no additional bin programs.

Since August of last year, Town officials indicate Fogdog has been seeking approval from AEP to construct and operate a facility in Sylvan Lake.

In an email to the Town on Jan. 15, Fogdog officials say they are in the process of ensuring compliance for their equipment within the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

These codes are said to provide for the minimum safety, performance, and compliance standards to operate this type of equipment in Canada.

According to Fogdog, acquiring these certifications from CEC and CSA will speed up the approval process with AEP and that they anticipate receiving CEC and CSA certification in six to eight weeks, at which time they will seek AEP final approval.

No timeline estimate was provided for final approval from AEP.

Elsewhere, Fogdog is said to have purchased, and is expecting to receive, a small converter unit in March or April, with a demonstration of the converting process to be scheduled some time after that in Sylvan Lake.

Town officials say Fogdog has 18 months from the “effective date” of Dec. 15, 2018 to acquire the necessary approvals, meaning they have until June 15, 2020 to acquire all required approvals. Town officials note the project appears to be on schedule at this time.

Sylvan Lake Town council will receive an update on the project tonight (Monday).