HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-24-2008-11a.~,nfo~m a ~[-,' on Z ~ ~m
Memorandum
To: Laura Blackmon, County Manager
From: Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Management Director
Subject: Information Report -Alternative Technology Study Update
Date: June 24, 2008
Attached is a brief status report of the waste processing technology alternative study
requested by the Board of County Commissioners. The study is to be completed over the
summer and is tentatively scheduled for presentation to the BOCC at the September 2,
2008 meeting.
Let me know if you require any additional information regarding this matter.
~~~
OLVER WASTE PROCESSINGTECHNOLOGYRLTERNATIVE STUDY
Progress Report
June 9, 2008
The waste processing technology alternatives study is being prepared by our subconsultant
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB). The project team is headed by Harvey Gershman,
and the Project Manager is Frank Bernheisel.
The study will consist of two parts: (1) a written report and (2) a PowerPoint presentation. GBB
estimates that both parts are 50 percent complete at this point.
Written Report: The report is being prepared according to the following outline:
1. Introduction and Background
2. Orange County Future Needs
3. Overview of Waste Processing Technologies (WPT)
4. World Wide Experience of WPT
5. Recent Research/Procurement of WPT by other entities
6. Opinion of Economic Feasibility, Effectiveness, and Environmental Issues associated
with WPT
7. Opinion on the implementation consideration.
A draft of Sections 1, 2, and 3 are currently finalized. Section 5 is being developed. Current
research includes calls to St. Lucie County, Florida, to obtain updates on the status of the
reported plasma arc project being developed. A matrix of gasification vendors is being
completed. Environmental information is being complied and consolidated in Section 6.
Four WPTs that are being evaluated include:
1. Waste-to-Energy (direct combustion and processed fuel)
2. Plasma Arc
3. Pyrolysis (thermal gasification)
4. Biological fuel production
PowerPoint Presentation: The presentation follows the same outline as the written report.
Assessment of technologies will include the element and issues requested by the Orange County
Solid Waste Advisory Board.
^ Maturity of the technology
• Public Acceptability
• Space/Buffer requirements
• Cost of procurement, permitting, construction and operations
• Impact of current federal, state and local regulations
^ Level of Expertise needed to operate
^ Public vs. private ownership
Page 1
3
^ History of successful operations in the United States
^ Permits required and permitting process
^ Quantity and make up of waste stream needed for economic feasibility
^ Amount and make up of residual products
^ Site requirements
^ Economics -the relationship of the cost of procurement, permitting, construction, and
operations versus revenue from energy/product sales and tipping fees.
Schedule:
Notice to Proceed given to GBB May 19, 2008
First Draft June 16, 2008
Comments on First Draft June 23, 2008
Draft Report June 30, 2008
Final Report and Presentation July 31, 2008
Workshop/Presentation to SWAB August 7, 2008
Presentation to Board of County Commissioners September 2, 2008
Page 2