Archived - Great Lakes Biodiesel Inc - Biodiesel Facility

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Archived Content

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Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 10-01-58334
Natural Resources Canada: ~~~~

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Natural Resources Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On October 14, 2010, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Natural Resources Canada considered providing financial assistance to the proponent.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

Great Lakes Biodiesel Inc (formerly Bioversel Sarnia) proposes to construct and operate a biodiesel facility in Welland, Ontario. The nameplate capacity of this facility will be 170 millions liters per year. For this facility, the principal raw materials will be feedstock (150,000 tons per year), methanol (15,000 tons per year) and sodium methylate (1,755 tons per year). The primary feedstock will be soybean oil, however varying quantities of others such as canola oil, corn oil, lard, poultry fat and beef tallow may be used. The operational design of the facility is based on the receipt of feedstock and the shipment of biodiesel via railcars on a continuous/daily basis. The plant will generate 15,000 tons of glycerin and 1,168 tons of fatty acid per year as residual products.

The main construction activities will include the building of a tank farm, a biodiesel manufacturing plant and installation of an office and laboratory. The main operation activities will include feedstock drying, transesterification, methyl ester / glycerin separation, methyl ester washing, methyl ester drying, glycerin soap splitting, glycerin drying, methanol rectification, vent gas recovery, cold filtration, out-loading and transportation of products.

Final Decision

A decision was taken on August 16, 2011 and was that the authority may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the screening report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authority is of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.