Stock photo from inside a waste-to-energy facility. (Photo 60346114 © Belish | Dreamstime.com)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

four communities on board

Blackfalds and Penhold latest to show interest in Varme waste-to-energy facility near Innisfail

Nov 28, 2023 | 10:37 AM

Blackfalds and Penhold town councils have approved non-binding letters of intent which would potentially see them become players in a waste-to-energy project near Innisfail.

Sylvan Lake and Innisfail are also part of the budding project. Red Deer has not signed a letter of intent related to the Varme-owned facility, but it could come back for consideration at a later date.

Varme describes itself as a Canadian energy development company focused on waste to energy with integrated carbon capture.

Its facility near Innisfail has been in the works for some time.

Varme says depending on other communities that come on board, the size of the eventual facility could change.

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In 2022, Blackfalds produced around 3,630 tons of waste materials disposed of in landfills. The Town says Varme has indicated it wants to hit the 100,000 ton mark annually.

Blackfalds currently has a deal with the City of Red Deer to use its waste management facility, which Varme says it would honour, the Town points out.

Blackfalds also notes that becoming a partner with Varme may, however, conflict with new EPR regulations, which rdnewsNOW reported about on Nov. 23, 2023.

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A report in the Nov. 14, 2023 Blackfalds town council agenda notes that the EPR regulations, “may impact the waste to energy initiatives by encouraging producers to explore more sustainable and environmentally friendly waste management options, such as recycling or reusing materials, rather than opting for waste to energy solutions.”

The Town of Penhold letter of intent approved Nov. 27 agrees to the following:

• commit to Varme Energy by contracting the Town’s full volume of waste to this project once the current contract is up for renewal, at a minimum price point of the current gate fee
• provide waste-specific date to Varme Energy regarding waste quantities and qualities in the area
• work with Varme’s team to evaluate potential commercial opportunities as it relates to the Innisfail project and the Town’s waste strategy, including trucking, recycling, transfer of waste, and others
• work with Varme and the region to collaborate on a regional landfill elimination strategy, rural economic development and joint government relations

Varme says it will provide updates on the Innisfail project in the months ahead.

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READ MORE

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