Asphalt Plant Emissions Rules For P.G. Changed

By 250 News

    Asphalt plants in Prince George will now have to follow the same stringent emission controls as the Lower Fraser Valley.

The provincial government has approved a change to the regulations that will require plants to immediately meet new requirements, including:

Reduction of particulates from the current 120 mg/m3 to 90mg/m3 and a 50% reduction in carbon monoxide to  200 mg/m3

As of January 1^st of 2008, the plants will also have to reduce their organics by 50% from 120 mg/m3 to 60mg/m3.

The reduction is welcomed, but not enough according to the North Nechako and Heritage Residents Association for Clean Air.

When the City of Prince George wrote to the Ministry of the Environment asking for the reduction, the Residents Association   sent a notice to the City saying the reduction to match the Lower Fraser Valley standards should be considered an interim measure, and the people of Prince George deserve more. 

The residents asked the City to revise the request and press the Ministry to have the emission standards for Prince George match the even more stringent standards that have been set for the Greater Vancouver Regional District.  In Vancouver, the emission max for  particulates is  40 mg/m3, and the opacity is 10% which is one half of the allowable limit here.   There is also a dustfall limit . 

The Residents' letter to the City read “There is no reason that the effort being made by the asphalt industry to provide good air quality for Vancouver residents should not be made for the residents of Prince George.”

Residents' spokesperson, Kathleen Haines, says the group will continue to press for a complete review of ashphalt emission standards.  Such a review may  take place next year.  Haines says it is important  the  Ministry of Environment review the regulations because there are many more communities just like Prince George.

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