Ontario to be National Leader and Require Cleaner and Greener Gasoline

Boosting renewable fuel content at the pumps equivalent to taking 300,000 cars off the road each year

The Ontario government claims it is making gasoline that drivers use every day cleaner by becoming the first province to require fuel suppliers to increase the amount of renewable content in regular-grade gasoline to 15 per cent. This change is expected to result in an annual reduction of up to one megatonne of greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 – the equivalent of taking 300,000 cars off the road every year.

“We know about one third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the province comes from transportation which is why increasing the amount of renewable content in gasoline is such an important step towards fighting climate change and driving down emissions,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “This change will also help attract investment in ethanol production, create jobs in rural communities and assist the biofuel and agriculture sectors in their long-term economic recovery from COVID-19.”

Most of the ethanol produced in Ontario is made from locally-grown corn. By increasing demand for biofuels like ethanol, this regulation will benefit local farmers, attract further investment in the industry and support Ontario’s competitive advantage as a clean fuel province.

To help ensure that industry has a chance to adjust to the new requirements, the province is gradually phasing in the renewable content from the existing 10 per cent requirement to 11 per cent in 2025, 13 per cent in 2028 and 15 per cent in 2030.

“Ontario gasoline is on track to be among the cleanest in the country. Ethanol is clean, renewable, and already blended in most gasoline,” said Andrea Kent, Board Director and Past President, Renewable Industries Canada. “Boosting ethanol content in gasoline is a practical and immediate climate solution to cut greenhouse gases from transportation, improve air quality, and strengthen local economies without adding costs for drivers. It also means that Ontario drivers will be helping the environment with every fill-up.”

These changes were set out in our Made-In-Ontario Environment Plan and contribute to the province’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. The regulation will provide Ontarians with cleaner fuels and will reduce their carbon footprint from transportation.

QUICK FACTS

• The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks regulates the amount of renewable content found in gasoline sold in Ontario.
• Ethanol is a renewable fuel produced mainly through the fermentation of corn in Ontario. Renewable fuels can also be made from other organic materials such as forestry residues or organic wastes.
• The government recently announced plans to develop the province’s first-ever low-carbon hydrogen strategy that would support creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to fueling trucks and ships, hydrogen can also be used for industrial processes and electricity storage and be blended into the natural gas pipeline to heat and power homes and businesses.

The post Ontario to Require Cleaner and Greener Gasoline appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Ontario Takes Action to Reduce Electronic Waste

Province Helping Environment by Encouraging Innovation Among Electronics Producers

The Ontario government has introduced a new regulation that will require producers to collect and safely manage the full life-cycle of their electrical and electronic equipment, such as cell phones, computers, printers and gaming equipment. The regulation, which will be enforceable on January 1, 2021, also promotes the reuse and refurbishment of products so they can be resold. The government says these new requirements will not only reduce the amount of electronic waste produced but will create opportunities to enable innovative solutions for managing electronic waste and the evolving demands of the tech sector.

“Electronics are becoming an increasing challenge for our waste system and we need new solutions to keep them out of landfills.” – Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Minister Yurek was joined by representatives from Nokia and Greener Acres at a Waste Reduction Week event today at Queen’s Park. The Minister congratulated the companies for joining forces to recycle electronic waste. Their innovative project uses recycled electronics like smart phones, tablets and televisions to create smart light poles, designed by Greener Acres, which enable highspeed broadband powered by Nokia to be delivered across the province.

“Our government supports innovation from the private sector and encourages the use of electronic waste for new, sustainable products like smart light poles,” said Minister Yurek. “Companies like Nokia and Greener Acres are finding new and innovative ways to manage their products, make recycling simpler and put these recyclable materials back into the economy. I hope to see many other creative ideas coming forward over the coming months that will significantly reduce the amount of electronics from going to landfill.”

“Nokia is proud of its strong legacy of supporting small business such as Greener Acres and we are excited to partner with another Ontario company to develop the next generation smart pole sourced from recycled content,” said Shawn Sparling, Head of Enterprise & Public Sector, Nokia Canada. “We create the technologies that connect the world, and Smart Cities powered by these Smart Green Poles will be key drivers in bringing high-speed connectivity to all Canadians.”

“Today’s made-in-Ontario Electronics regulation supports innovation, and the development of a circular economy,” said Meni Mancini, President and Director of Greener Acres Canada. “Nokia and Greener Acres are using recycled e-waste to develop the next generation of Smart City pole infrastructure, supporting the expansion of Broadband Internet across Ontario in a more environmentally friendly way.”

The new regulation will also create new collection and management obligations for lighting producers starting in 2023 and will increase the types of products Ontarians are able to recycle through producer responsibility programs – resulting in more waste being diverted from landfills. This is one of many important steps, outlined in Ontario’s Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, the government is taking to balance a healthy economy and a healthy environment.

QUICK FACTS

• Producers could save an estimated $12 million by transitioning from the existing waste diversion program to a full producer responsibility model. It is anticipated that some of these savings could be passed on to consumers.
• Under the regulation, the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority will be responsible for oversight and enforcement, including monitoring the performance of producers to ensure they meet requirements.
• Leveraging specialized manufacturing technologies, Greener Acres can produce up to 1,000 Smart City Green poles each day. The success of the relationship with Nokia will enable Greener Acres to create a dozen full-time jobs in Ontario.
• Nokia is a global leader in Information & Communication Technologies and a pioneer of emerging connectivity technology.

The post Ontario Takes Action to Reduce Electronic Waste appeared first on Biz X magazine.

Ontario Consulting on Plan to Increase Recycling in More Communities and Help Divert More Waste from Landfills

Ontario is kicking off Waste Reduction Week by unveiling regulations to improve the blue box program. The enhancements include expanding the items that can be recycled and making producers of products and packaging fully responsible for the waste they create.

“We’re creating a stronger and more effective Blue Box program that actually works. By harnessing the innovation and ingenuity of industry and expanding recycling opportunities for people and businesses across the province, we can divert more waste away from landfills by finding new purposes for products and reinserting them back into the economy.” – Minister Yurek, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

The proposed new Blue Box regulation will:

• Standardize and increase the list of materials accepted in the blue box including paper and plastic cups, wraps, foils, trays, and bags and other single use items such as stir sticks, straws, cutlery and plates.
• Transition the costs of the program away from municipal taxpayers by making the producers of products and packaging fully responsible for costs, resulting in an estimated savings of $135 million annually for municipalities.
• Expand blue box services to more communities, such as smaller, rural and remote communities, including those under 5,000 people.
• Set the highest diversion targets in North America for the various categories of waste producers are expected to recycle such as paper, glass, beverage containers and rigid and flexible plastic, encouraging innovation such as better product design and the use of new technologies for better environmental outcomes.

The province says it will also expand blue box services to facilities such as apartment buildings, long-term care homes, schools and municipal parks in 2026 to provide the people of Ontario with more opportunities to recycle and keep their communities clean.

The draft Blue Box regulation will be posted for 45 days for public feedback, ending December 2, 2020.

Reducing plastic waste and litter and making producers responsible for managing the full life-cycle of their products is a key part of the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan commitment to balance a healthy economy, a healthy environment and keep Ontario clean and beautiful.

QUICK FACTS

• The proposed framework ensures that programs already having a positive impact on the environment, like the Beer Store’s deposit return program, can continue under the new producer responsibility model.
• Waste Reduction Week runs from October 19-25 to promote environmental stewardship and increase opportunities for Ontarians to participate in efforts to reduce waste.

The post Ontario Consulting on Plan to Increase Recycling appeared first on Biz X magazine.

ERCA Flood Watch March 6, 2020

The Essex Region Conservation Authority advises that, due to the current elevated lake levels and the forecasted winds, a Flood Watch is in effect until Saturday March 7th, 2020.

The potentially impacted areas include the Lake St. Clair shoreline in the City of Windsor, Town of Tecumseh, and Town of Lakeshore.

Forecasts are showing strong winds primarily out of the north and north-northwest today starting around noon.

Winds have the potential to increase up to approximately 40 km/hr for for the majority of the day on Friday with winds slowing down closer to midnight. Lake levels are currently elevated as compared to 2019 levels at this same time. Preliminary coordinated monthly average lake levels for Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie for the month of February are approximately 390 mm (~ 16 inches) and 290 mm (~ 12 inches) above the coordinated monthly averages from 2019. By comparison, these water levels roughly equate to levels reached back in early May 2019 as we begin to enter our seasonal rise.

People should take extra caution to avoid areas where flooding is occurring as well as rivers, streams, and shoreline areas during significant rainfall and wind/lake events.

 The combination of slippery banks, waves, waves overtopping shoreline structures, and fast moving water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children, pets, and livestock should be kept away from flowing or standing water as well as shoreline areas.

Due to elevated lake levels, the Municipality of Leamington should continue to monitor the flood control dykes in the Southeast Leamington Area, including the Mersea Road 1 Dyke and the Marentette Dyke. The City of Windsor should continue to monitor water levels along the flood control dykes within the Little River Drain corridor.

Officials at the Essex Region Conservation Authority will continue to monitor conditions and weather forecasts and advise accordingly.

The post ERCA Flood Watch March 6 2020 appeared first on Biz X magazine.

ERCA Watershed Conditions February 25 2020

The Essex Region Conservation Authority advises that, due to the current elevated lake levels and forecasted winds over the next 4 days, a Watershed Conditions Statement is in effect until 12:00 pm (noon), Friday February 28th, 2020.

Lake levels are currently elevated as compared to 2019 levels at this same time. Preliminary coordinated monthly average lake levels for Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie for the month of February are approximately 390 mm (~ 16 inches) and 290 mm (~ 12 inches) above the coordinated monthly averages from 2019. By comparison, these water levels roughly equate to levels reached back in early May 2019 as we begin to enter our seasonal rise.

In addition to the elevated lake levels, a low pressure system is tracking easterly south of Lake Erie causing some winds out of the northeast starting early Tuesday morning.

Forecasts are showing winds increasing up to approximately 30 km/hr out of the northeast and east-northeast directions with gust between 40 and 50 km/hr. These conditions are forecasted to remain until Wednesday February 26th.

The forecasted winds out of the northeast along with the elevated lake levels are just below “Flood Watch” thresholds; however, these conditions bring an increased risk of flooding and nearshore erosion as a result of increased wave activity, waves overtopping low/damaged breakwalls, and splashing and spray. Waves can also carry debris such as ice that may be deposited and/or thrown onto shoreline areas. Should conditions worsen beyond those forecasted, the areas that may be impacted by the northeast and east-northeast winds include:
– Lake St. Clair shoreline between Windsor and Belle River;
– The Detroit River shoreline; and
– The Lake Erie shoreline including Pelee Island.

The area that could be most impacted by waves should there be significant wave activity would be the Lake St. Clair shoreline as described above, as well as the shoreline area between Wheatley Harbour and Point Pelee National Park in the Municipality of Leamington.

Watershed Conditions Statement

The long range forecast shows this low pressure system continuing east of our region, forcing winds to shift out of the northwest by late Wednesday night and eventually out of the west. As this happens, long range forecasts are suggesting winds to be above 40 km/hr with gusts well above 60 km/hr. These conditions could be present for as long as the afternoon of February 28th. Long range forecasts are typically less reliable and therefore updates from our office will reflect those changing conditions should it be required.

People should take extra caution to avoid areas where flooding is occurring as well as rivers, streams, and shoreline areas during significant rainfall and wind/lake events. The combination of slippery banks, waves, waves overtopping shoreline structures, and fast moving water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children, pets, and livestock should be kept away from flowing or standing water as well as shoreline areas.

Due to elevated lake levels, the Municipality of Leamington should continue to monitor the flood control dykes in the Southeast Leamington Area, including the Mersea Road 1 Dyke and the Marentette Dyke. The City of Windsor should continue to monitor water levels along the flood control dykes within the Little River Drain corridor.

Officials at the Essex Region Conservation Authority will continue to monitor conditions and weather forecasts and advise accordingly.

The post ERCA Watershed Conditions February 25 2020 appeared first on Biz X magazine.