Environmental Protection

Environmental Protection Advisory Committee - Documents

EPAC | Documents

2006 BIOSOLIDS SUMMARY REPORT
for the
KANAPAHA WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY
FDEP Facility ID# FL 0112895
and the
MAIN STREET WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY
FDEP Facility ID# FL 0027251

This report is prepared to satisfy the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) biosolids annual reporting requirements found in 40 CFR 503 as well as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) annual reporting requirements of Rule 62-640, F.A.C. The time period covered in this report extends from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 and documents biosolids preparation and land application for the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) Main Street Water Reclamation Facility (FL0027251) and the Kanapaha Water Reclamation Facility (FLO1 12895). The FDEP Residuals Annual Summary form (DEP Form 62-640.210(2)(b)) and a copy of the effective 62-640, F.A.C are included in the Appendix.

Download the PDF version of the 2006 Biosolids Summary Report

Stormwater presentation made to EPAC on August 23, 2006 by Alachua County Public Works staff.

Staff explained the proposed stormwater management program issues and benefits. The pdf file of the presentation is now available.

Joint Meeting of EPAC and the City of Gainesville Water Management Committee

On October 20, 2005 EPAC and the City of Gainesville Water Management Committee met to discuss the causes of sewage discharges into our urban waterways. In early 2006 EPAC hopes to host a workshop on opportunities for improvement and possible solutions to the problem of raw sewage in our creek systems

February 14, 2006

Please find attached ICF's draft report to the City of Gainesville regarding electricity supply needs. The 2.8 MB pdf file is here.

Public Meeting Notice: The draft report will be discussed this Wednesday February 15, 7 - 9 PM at the Ironwood Country Club.

EPAC Position Statement of Priorities for Meeting Our Community�s Future Energy Needs 02-14-06

Because saving energy has the least financial cost and environmental impact, EPAC recommends that efforts to reduce our electrical consumption by means of energy efficiency and demand side management programs should be the first priority of this community.

This will allow postponement of decisions on increasing generation capacity while technological and regulatory changes occur that could significantly affect the best choices for our community.

EPAC also recommends that renewable sources be utilized to meet additional electrical capacity needs.

This community must not continue to rely on fossil fuels in order to preserve the economic and environmental health of our community.

January 24, 2006

Letters presented to the Board of County Commissioners on January 24, 2006 for transmittal to the City of Gainesville concerning the proprietary models of ICF Associates.

Read both letters here.

From the request to the Board of County Commissioners:

"The Alachua County Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (EPAC) respectfully requests that the Board of County Commissioners transmit the attached letter to the Gainesville City Commission and request that they consider taking action on EPAC�s request for information from ICF Associates (ICF) who is preparing a report for the City of Gainesville on options for meeting the future electrical power needs of our community. EPAC feels that the requested information is necessary, not only for an adequate assessment of the ICF report and whatever conclusions it reaches, but also to ensure community confidence in the report and the process that generated it."

From the request for information to Mayor Hanrahan and Gainesville City Commissioners:

"I am writing on behalf of the Alachua County Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (EPAC) to express our concern with the proprietary nature of the model(s) ICF Associates (IC F) is using to prepare their report to the City of Gainesville on alternatives to the GRU proposed coal power plant. These concerns were discussed with Ms. King Lin, Mr. David Pickles and Mr. Judah Rose on December during the course of a meeting with EPAC. Concerns were raised by EPAC members about the ability of third parties, such as GDS Associates, to adequately review the CF report without access to substantial information about the ICF proprietary model(s). Mr. Rose responded for ICF that they were unwilling to make any statements on the record that would relinquish any rights to their proprietary model(s)."

Peer Review of EPAC Report

Alachua County �s contracted expert review of the Alachua County Environmental Protection Advisory Committee�s (EPAC) report on Gainesville Regional Utilities� power plant expansion plans is now available to the public.

Alachua County hired Numark and Associates, a Washington, D.C. energy consulting firm, to perform an expert review of the EPAC report. In providing this review, Numark assembled a multi-disciplinary team of national experts knowledgeable on health effects of coal combustion, reducing electrical consumption, available alternatives for generating electricity, and carbon emission regulation.

The Numark review supports many of the conclusions of the EPAC report, finding it, �reasonable, thoroughly researched, well informed and devoid of serious errors�. This expert review validates most of the concerns previously expressed by the EPAC report regarding the proposed GRU expansion of the coal-fired power plant.

In addition, the Numark review raises additional concerns about the validity of GRU�s previous proposal for power plant expansion beyond the scope of the EPAC report:

  • Concerns regarding health effects to downwind communities should be expanded to include communities located outside of Alachua County
  • GRU could reduce the need for additional electrical generating capacity by more effective demand side management plans, and such strategies should be evaluated
  • The EPAC report may have underestimated the potential for GRU to incorporate alternative power generation strategies such as the use of biomass, other renewable energy technologies, and distributed generation
  • EPAC did not address GRU�s projections of future electrical generating capacity that likely overestimate projected future demand.

The Numark review suggests that the EPAC report may have been overly concerned about the stringency of future U.S. carbon emission regulation. However, the review does affirm EPAC�s finding that the proposed coal-fired plant expansion would increase the risk of financial penalties for carbon emissions.

The Numark review concludes an extensive effort by EPAC to address environmental concerns regarding the validity of GRU�s power plant expansion plans. Over the span of 18 months and 55 meetings, EPAC conducted an extensive evaluation of the GRU power plant expansion plans and provided their final report to the Board of County Commissioners in September, 2005.

Download the pdf of the report here.

EPAC Report on GRU Proposed Power Plant Expansion

Please find below the Alachua County Environmental Protection Advisory Committee's final report concerning GRU's proposed coal fueled power plant. This report will be presented to the Alachua County Commission of September 15, 2005. Download the entire report (1.26 MB pdf format).

BACKGROUND: In December 2003, GRU released their Integrated Resource Plan which described a need for additional local electrical generating capacity to meet projected electrical demand through the year 2022. The plan involves the addition of a new 220 Megawatt (MW) coal and petroleum coke fired generating plant, the retrofit of the Deerhaven 2 coal fired plant and the development of approximately 30 MW of biomass fuel capacity.

In January 2004, EPAC presented the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) with a number of concerns and environmental policy issues regarding the validity of GRU�s power plant expansion plans. The BoCC requested EPAC to meet with former members of the Alachua County Air Quality Commission (AQC) to review the GRU/IRP and present findings and recommendations to the BoCC. During the past 18 months, EPAC has committed extensive time to studying and researching these issues and have prepared a final report for the BoCC. EPAC held more than 55 meetings at which they have discussed, commented and reviewed the report. EPAC members have also attended and presented their concerns at a series of City of Gainesville special meetings as well as presenting updates to the BoCC to inform them on the progress of the report.

In response to community concerns about the validity of GRU�s power plant expansion plans, on July 25th the City sent out a request for proposal for �Independent Consultation on Options for Meeting Future Electrical Supply Needs of the Gainesville Community�. September 7th is the City�s deadline for receipt of proposals from the consultants. A City commission meeting to discuss and select the consultants is tentatively scheduled for September 29th.

EPAC�s Recommendations to Gainesville City Commission Regarding GRU�s Power Plant Proposal

Presented to Gainesville City Commission
November 15, 2004

View the entire presentation pdf format 5.14 MB

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