Thank You for Participating in Our Engagement!
Metro Vancouver’s engagement on the proposed amendments to the
Boilers and Process Heaters Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1087 is now complete. We thank everyone who submitted feedback through our online feedback form, webinar series, and engagement meetings. Your input is important to us and staff will consider all comments in finalizing the proposed amendments to the existing bylaw for MVRD Board consideration. A summary of the feedback received is expected to be presented along with recommendations to the MVRD Board in 2023.
You can continue to provide feedback or ask questions about the proposals by emailing AQBylaw@metrovancouver.org or by calling 604-432-6200.
Sign up to our mailing list to get updates on future engagement opportunities.
Overview
Metro Vancouver is considering amendments to the GVRD Boilers and Process Heaters Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1087, 2008 (Bylaw 1087), which regulates the discharge of air contaminants from boilers and process heaters in buildings and some industrial facilities in the
Metro Vancouver region.
Boilers and process heaters are sources of air contaminants such as
nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Emissions of NOx result in the formation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and can also contribute to the formation of harmful ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. Because NO2 is harmful even at low concentrations, it is important to protect sensitive populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with existing cardiac and respiratory conditions, from exposure to NO2.
The proposed amendments aim to support continuous improvement to regional ambient air quality and protection of human health by further reducing the discharge of health-harming air contaminants from boilers and process heaters.
The proposed amendments include:
- More stringent emission limits for NOx
- Additional dispersion modelling requirements to demonstrate achievement of ambient air quality objectives
- Additional requirements for emission stack design to reduce nearby impacts
For more information on the proposed amendments, please see the discussion paper or the discussion paper summary.
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Goals, Targets, and Responsibilities
Metro Vancouver is responsible for managing and regulating air quality in the region under authority delegated from the provincial government in the Environmental Management Act.
In 2021, the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors adopted the Clean Air Plan which includes targets for air quality to meet or be better than the ambient air quality objectives and standards at the regional, provincial, and federal levels. In addition, the Board also adopted stricter ambient air quality objectives for NO2 in 2019. These objectives are in line with the 2020 NO2 Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards. The proposed amendments to Bylaw 1087 aim to meet these objectives and enable continuous improvement and protection of human health and environment.
Related Initiatives
Managing GHG Emissions from Large Buildings in Metro Vancouver
Metro Vancouver’s
Clean Air Plan includes goals and targets to reduce GHG emissions across the region and achieve zero-emission buildings by 2050. Metro Vancouver is developing an approach to substantially reduce GHG emissions from large buildings over 25,000 ft2 (2,322 m2), including residential, commercial, and office buildings. Collectively, these buildings are an important source of GHG emissions in this region. Adoption of zero-emission heating technologies can avoid the discharge of GHG emissions as well as health harming air contaminants such as NOx from buildings. For more information, please go to visit the
project page.
Your Opinion Matters
Metro Vancouver is committed to engaging audiences who may be impacted by or have an interest in the proposed amendments. We encourage you to provide feedback
by
November 30, 2022. Your feedback will be considered in the fine-tuning of proposed bylaw amendments for consideration by Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors.
How to engage:
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