Proposal
Pulp and Paper Industry Standard under the Local Air Quality Regulation (O. Reg. 419/05: Air Pollution - Local Air Quality)
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 419/05
Instrument Type:
Proposal
Bill or Act:
Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990
Summary of Decision:
The publication entitled: Technical Standards to Manage Air Pollution ("Technical Standards Publication") has been updated to include the Pulp and Paper - Industry Standard. In addition, the Forest Products - Industry Standard has also been updated to remove references to acrolein for the pulp and paper sector and instead include it in the new technical standard. This amendment allows time for pulp and paper facilities currently registered for acrolein under the Forest Products - Industry Standard to apply to register under the new Pulp and Paper - Industry Standard. Other facilities currently registered to the Forest Products - Industry Standard, such as sawmills and plywood mills will continue to be covered by that amended technical standard. The Technical Standard Publication is available on the ministry's website and through the ministry's Public Information Centre.
The key contaminants of interest for the pulp and paper sector include: total reduced sulphur (TRS) compounds, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, chloroform, benzo-a-pyrene (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and acrolein. The publication also includes an additional 52 contaminants for which the analysis showed that representative facilities of the sector were below the air standards or guidelines.
The ministry maintains a list of facilities that are registered under a technical standard: the list is posted on the ministry website so that the public is aware of the compliance requirements for these facilities. In addition, each request for registration under a technical standard is posted on the Environmental Registry for a minimum 45 days of public comment.
The key contaminants of interest for the pulp and paper sector include: total reduced sulphur (TRS) compounds, chlorine dioxide, chlorine, chloroform, benzo-a-pyrene (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and acrolein. The publication also includes an additional 52 contaminants for which the analysis showed that representative facilities of the sector were below the air standards or guidelines.
The ministry maintains a list of facilities that are registered under a technical standard: the list is posted on the ministry website so that the public is aware of the compliance requirements for these facilities. In addition, each request for registration under a technical standard is posted on the Environmental Registry for a minimum 45 days of public comment.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
13-MOE005
Posting Date:
February 12, 2013
Summary of Proposal:
Technical standards can be used to manage air emissions for multiple facilities within one or more sectors and can include a wide range of contaminants. The key contaminants of interest for the pulp, paper and paperboard sector include: total reduced sulphur (TRS); chlorine dioxide; chlorine, chloroform and benzo-a-pyrene (Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons). The proposal also includes an additional 49 contaminants, for which the analysis showed that the sector was meeting the air standards.
When the ministry develops a technical standard, representative facilities in the sector are compared to other facilities requirements around the world to determine whether or not the same can be required of Ontario facilities. In addition, development of a technical standard includes a better understanding of the specific sources of contaminant(s) for that sector, benchmarking technology to address the sources of contaminant(s), and consideration of economic issues that relate to the sector.
Once the technical standard is published, any facility in the sector (that may or may not meet the air standard) could apply to register under this compliance approach. Such registration would involve a posting on the Environmental Registry and may involve a public meeting. The goal is to have a more efficient tool to better manage air emissions and reduce overall exposure from various industrial and commercial facilities in a sector.
When the ministry develops a technical standard, representative facilities in the sector are compared to other facilities requirements around the world to determine whether or not the same can be required of Ontario facilities. In addition, development of a technical standard includes a better understanding of the specific sources of contaminant(s) for that sector, benchmarking technology to address the sources of contaminant(s), and consideration of economic issues that relate to the sector.
Once the technical standard is published, any facility in the sector (that may or may not meet the air standard) could apply to register under this compliance approach. Such registration would involve a posting on the Environmental Registry and may involve a public meeting. The goal is to have a more efficient tool to better manage air emissions and reduce overall exposure from various industrial and commercial facilities in a sector.
Contact Address:
Effective Date:
March 5, 2014
Decision:
Approved