Waste-to-Energy Facility Monitoring Group

MEETING

November 9th, 2016

Covanta Alexandria/Arlington Waste-to-Energy Facility – Eisenhower Avenue

8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

The Facility Monitoring Group, staff, and HDR representatives present includedYon Lambert, Erik Grabowsky,Morgan Routt, Matt Hurley, Alaeedin Mohamed, Jeffrey DuVal, Alton Weaver, Davis McCoy, Kyle Perrinand Susan Raila, with Don Castro joining via phone. Mark Harlacker, and R.J. Brooksattended the meeting from Covanta, and Pula Soos of Covanta called in for the discussion on legislative issues.

  1. Comments on Agenda

There were no comments on the agenda.

  1. Approval of Final Minutes from the August 9th, 2016Facility Monitoring GroupMeeting (see attached).

Grabowsky made a motion to approve the minutes;Routt seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved unanimously.

  1. Requisitions for Payment

The requisitions for payment that were submitted for approval totaled $15,060.31. Thesole invoice was for HDR Engineering, Inc. for the period July 24, 2016to October 29, 2016 in the amount of $15,060.31. Routt made a motion to approve payment,Grabowsky seconded, and the invoice was approved unanimously.

  1. HDR - Operations and Facility Status
  1. Discussion of Quarterly Report and Facility Performance to Date

Castrodiscussed the performance curves through October, and facility issues related to that data. He noted that the tons of waste processed for the last 3 years were very much the same each month as in prior years. The tons of ash produced were very good, ranging from about 20to 22%, with other facilities typically in the 25-27% range. Regarding the graph that shows the steam production rate on a reference ton basis, which reflects how well the boilers are performing, there was a fairly significant trend downward over prior years. This indicates that the boilers are not operating as efficiently as they had been. The total steam production was however, very much the same as in the past few years. The heating value of the waste has not changed that much, and the turbine generator efficiency showed slightly better efficiency. Other data showed that the facility is producing less steam and less electricity, indicating a very slight degradation over time. The gross and net electrical generation has been similar to other periods. Since July it was noted that there has been a big drop in the recovery of ferrous materials, and Harlacker noted that perhaps since the facility has been taking in more Supplemental Waste, there is just less ferrous material in the waste stream. The rest of the performance curves were indicative of normal operation. The carbon monoxide emissions had been slightly increasing, but now they are more normal. In summary, the facility is performing similar to last year, with the exception of boiler performance. Grabowsky asked if the boiler performance would affect the air quality emissions, and Covanta responded that it is not a concern right now, as emissions haven’t increased.

Perrin then reported on his inspection of the facility the prior day, referring back to the list of deficiencies in the latest quarterly report. There were no changes to most deficiencies listed, other than the last two on the list (items 21 and 22). He did note that there will be a new company to haul the ash starting December 3rd, Owen Trucking (a subsidiary of RJ Thompson Trucking). Perrin also mentioned a few new deficiencies, specifically a new tube leak, significant spider cracking in the tipping floor, issues with the concrete slab by the citizen drop off area, and a hole in the pavement. Also, he noted that the cooling tower stairs are starting to split, which is a safety issue.

  1. Covanta Items
  1. Supplemental Waste

Brooks noted that the amount of supplemental waste deliveries were 642 tons in August, 734 tons in September, and 926 tons in October, which has increased over prior months. The type of waste continues to be the typical waste, primarily confidential documents, APHIS waste and pharmaceuticals.

  1. Update on Discussions with DEQ on Steaming Rate and NOx

There was nothing new to report on these issues.

  1. DSUP update

This relates to Covanta wanting to change the receiving hours at the facility. It has been submitted for an administrative amendment, and would add one additional hour in the morning, but at least for now, would close at the same time, which is 6pm.

  1. Old Business
  1. Air Quality Report/ Eisenhower West Plan Implementation Update

Lambert indicated that they are developing a scope for the air quality modelling, and the advisory group has a meeting scheduled for November 28th, and they may have questions. He said that he would introduce Covanta’s report to the group, and it was noted that Brooks will be attending the meeting.

  1. Signage on Eisenhower Avenue

DuVal mentioned that he is working with Covanta to increase the sweeping in the vicinity of the facility. It gets slick on Eisenhower Avenue when it’s raining, and a new sign will indicate that the roadway is slippery when wet. Eisenhower was milled to decrease the slipperiness, and the sign will be moved back from the area, to notify drivers to reduce their speed. DuVal asked Covanta to let him know how these initiatives work out. Harlacker mentioned that they are actively washing down the floor and sidewalk, as a jogger slipped on the sidewalk.

  1. New Business
  1. Legislative Issues

Paula Soos of Covanta joined the meeting via teleconference to discuss two issues:

(1)The Clean Power Plan – the election will have an impact on this. She noted that if the EPA finalizes rules by the end of the year, it will prescribe by state how climate mitigation technology is applied. She noted that Waste-to-Energy is a GHG mitigation technology, and should not be subject to carbon taxes.

(2)PURPA – Soos noted that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is considering changes to PURPA (the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act), which created a market for non-utility power producers, and provides a priority for development of renewables. She noted that this is still needed for the waste-to-energy industry.

  1. Public Initiatives

Covanta provided a list of public outreach since the last meeting, which included the following:

  • August 3 – hosted a tour for four people from Affordable Refuse.
  • September 26 – Kevin McGunnigle and Jon Scott attended the Arlington E-waste event and provided free giveaway tote bags and gift cards to residents who dropped off mercury-containing devices.
  • September 27 – hosted a tour for 11 fire fighters from Alexandria City to become familiar with the sites hazardous chemical inventory and confined spaces.
  • October 4 – hosted a tour for a local resident, Travis Teegarden, an engineer working for Thermal Power.

Additionally, Covanta’s pharmaceutical take-back program which is undertaken with the police department in order to safely dispose of these materials was mentioned, and they would like a similar event to be held on an annual basis.

DuVal mentioned that he had received a survey concerning the Facility, and Grabowsky will fill it out on behalf of the County.

Also of note, from the meeting prior to meeting with Covanta, the FMG discussed the FMG balance, and whether or not the FMG fund should be increased. It was decided amongst the FMG members to leave the budgeting as is for FY18, but to discuss again for FY19.

On a motion by Routt, seconded by Grabowsky, the meeting adjourned at 9:34a.m.

The next Facility Monitoring Group Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,February8th, 2017 at the Covanta Facility.

A/A Waste-to-Energy Facility Monitoring Group1