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Preamble:
WHEREAS Alberta Environment and Parks, through legislation, maintains control of all asphalt paving plants registrations: and
WHEREAS Alberta Environment and Parks, through legislation, maintains responsibility for inspection, compliance and enforcement of asphalt paving plants; and
WHEREAS the Alberta Government Code of Practice for Asphalt Paving Plants includes an obligation for asphalt paving plants to be equipped with pollution control technology that meets the requirement of the code; and
WHEREAS municipal districts and counties have the authority to regulate land use and development approvals under the Municipal Government Act, they cannot enforce compliance with the Code of Practice for Asphalt Paving Plants which is enforced through the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act; and
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta introduced a Climate Leadership Plan in 2016 to reduce carbon emissions; and
WHEREAS asphalt plants that incorporate modern innovative technologies will reduce emissions to contribute to meet industry emission reduction targets referenced in the Discussion Document: Climate Leadership Plan;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request that Alberta Environment and Parks review the Code of Practice for Asphalt Paving Plants to:
Member Background:
A viable aggregate industry is a necessary component of a vibrant Alberta economy. As the need for aggregate resources increases throughout the province, municipalities are challenged to deal with offsite impacts resulting from asphalt paving plants within pit operations.
Environmental impacts associated with asphalt paving plants are governed by Alberta Environment and Parks legislation through the Code of Practice for Asphalt Paving Plants (thereafter referred to as the Code). The Code became effective on September 30, 1996 and has not been updated since. There have been increased concerns with the air pollutants released from certain types of asphalt paving plants. The Code does contain an environmental log guide that shall be filled out each calendar year of an operation. However, the Code and the environmental log guide does not contain emission standards or provisions for the type of asphalt plants permitted that are directly linked with the environmental impacts a plant creates.
A review of the Code should increase industry standards to reduce particulate emissions released into the atmosphere and the requirement to use newer technologies and eliminate the use of wet scrubber plants. The Government of Alberta introduced The Climate Leadership Plan as a provincial strategy to reduce carbon emissions while diversifying the economy. A review of the Code will align with the provincial commitment to reduce environmental impacts, taking action on climate change and supporting sustainable communities within Alberta.
REFERENCES:
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR ASPHALT PAVING PLANTS
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/codes/ASPHALT.PDF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT (EPEA)
http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=E12.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779735495
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA – CLIMATE LEADERSHIP PLAN
https://www.alberta.ca/climate-leadership-plan.aspx#toc-0
A MUNICIPAL GUIDE TO SAND AND GRAVEL OPERATIONS IN ALBERTA (2007 AAMDC)
RMA Background:
The AAMDC has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
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