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News Release November 12, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EUB ISSUES FIRST ANNUAL REPORT ON SULPHUR RECOVERY AND SULPHUR EMISSIONS AT ALBERTA SOUR GAS PLANTS
Calgary, Alberta (November 12, 2003) The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) today issued Statistical Series (ST) 101: Sulphur Recovery and Sulphur Emissions at Alberta Sour Gas Plants (ST 101) , which summarizes sulphur recovery results at grandfathered sour gas plants across Alberta.
From 2000 to 2002, sulphur emissions have decreased for both grandfathered acid gas flaring plants (down 25 per cent) and grandfathered sulphur recovery plants (down 15 per cent). Overall, emissions from grandfathered plants have fallen by approximately 20 per cent, primarily due to decreased sulphur throughput.
The report stems from Interim Directive (ID) 2001-3: Sulphur Recovery Guidelines for the Province of Alberta (ID 2001-3) , issued August 29, 2001. The guidelines established a schedule to degrandfather plants to meet the same sulphur recovery requirements as new plants, implemented a phased approach to the EUBs stringent requirements, and encouraged operators to take early action to improve performance.
In the last three years, seven plants were degrandfathered, three plants were relicensed to meet the requirements for new plants, and three plants were shut down.
Grandfathered plants are those that do not meet the sulphur recovery requirements for new plants listed in ID 2001-3 , including some sulphur recovery plants and larger acid gas flaring plants. Degrandfathered plants are those that did not meet the requirements of ID 2001-3 , but have recently undergone physical modifications that allow them to meet the requirements for new plants.
The EUB ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.
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This news release, ST 101 and ID 2001-3 are available on the EUB Web site at http://www.ercb.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Bob Curran
EUB Communications
Phone: 403-297-3392
Fax: 403-297-3757
Email: bob.curran@gov.ab.ca
NR 2003-42
