Title
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Proposed Modification of Conditions of Certification for Gainesville Renewable Energy Center (GREC) (B)
FDEP Proposed Agency Action. City Manager, discussion of staff memorandum regarding environmental review of draft GREC Petition for Modification (Mod A) of the Conditions of Certification. *ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 5 MINUTES*
Explanation
A proposed draft for modification of certification conditions has been circulated by FDEP to reviewing agencies to solicit questions or comments prior to issuance of Intent to Modify and Draft Final Order. The intent for modification was initiated by the Department to reflect rule updates, and to allow ash generated at the facility to be transported offsite for beneficial reuse at a facility properly permitted to receive such materials.
In response to communication from the FDEP Siting Coordination Office, GREC, LLC, is proposing a modification of conditions under Sections B.I.C. and B.I.D. of the Conditions of Certification (PA 09-55) issued December 15, 2010, that require GREC to comply with provisions of Chapter 62-702, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). Chapter 62-702 F.A.C. was repealed by the FDEP in 2012 and thus the current citations in the Conditions to the repealed rule are proposed for deletion. Additionally, in 2013, the Florida Legislature created Section 403.7047, Florida Statutes, which supports the beneficial use of fossil fuel combustion products, including ash generated by electrical power plants. Conditions B.I.C and B.I.D, which relate to Solid Waste General and Fly Ash, respectively, currently require ash to be transported offsite for disposal in a permitted landfill. Fly ash generated by the facility may be used as a soil supplement, subject to conditions. The draft language of the modification deletes the rule reference, implements the new legislative policy, and includes clarifying language relating to disposal and/or reuse of the heavy ash component, bottom ash, which was not specifically mentioned before. A technical environmental review was coordinated by the City Environmental Coordinator, with regulatory stakeholder representatives including GREC and FDEP, and a memorandum is provided (see back-up) with recommendations for additional proposed draft language for clarifying descriptors of clean wood fuel, and restriction on use of bottom ash as a soil supplement. Based on the information provided by FDEP, it is the consensus opinion of the regulatory stakeholder review team that the proposed petition language does not pose substantial change to the existing certification conditions of the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center. The petition simply adds the option for other regulated beneficial uses of wood ash resulting from clean wood fuel energy generation. No change is proposed which would relax the management requirement for quality control of the incoming fuel stream, or in the testing of ash to monitor regulated waste characteristic prior to use.
Fiscal Note
Unknown at this time.
Recommendation
Staff to City Commission- Convey recommendations of the Environmental Review Team continued within the attached draft memo for changes to draft language to FDEP for incorporation in the Intent to Modify and Draft Final Order for the GREC Petition for Modification (Mod A) of the Conditions of Certification.