Post-construction Sound Survey – AUC Rule 012: Noise Control – Class A2 Ambient Adjustment
Background
Millar Western Forest Products Ltd. (“Millar Western”) is the approval holder of AUC Power Plant Approval U2012-2373 (the “Approval”) to construct and operate a 5.2-megawatt (MW) Biogas Power Plant (the “Biogas Plant”). Condition 4 of the Approval required Miller Wester to conduct a comprehensive noise survey at the power plant within six months after the power plant was commissioned and report the findings to the AUC.
In this decision, the AUC considered the post-construction comprehensive sound level survey (“CSL Survey”) for the Biogas Plant, filed by Miller Western pursuant to Condition 4.
Under Rule 012, a CSL survey is valid if it meets the criteria outlined in Rule 012 and a facility is in compliance if the comprehensive sound level measured during representative conditions is equal to or lower than the established permissible sound level.
Specifically, in this decision, the AUC considered:
(a) the CSL Survey for the Biogas Plant, which measured the sound impacts at four dwellings, receptors R1, R2, R3, and R4; and
(b) Miller Western’s requested Class A2 Ambient Adjustment to the permissible sound level (“PSL”) with respect to two receptors (R1 and Receptor R3) for both daytime and nighttime periods (the “A2 Adjustment Request”).
Comprehensive Sound Level Survey
With respect to the CSL Survey, the AUC found that:
(a) the CSL Survey was conducted in accordance with the requirements of AUC Rule 012: Noise Control (“Rule 12”);
(b) the Biogas Plant was in compliance with the PSL requirements at receptors R2 and R4; and
(c) the dwelling referred to as Receptor R3 had been demolished and, accordingly, the AUC did not need to assess PSL compliance at Receptor R3.
Class A2 Ambient Adjustment
The AUC approved an A2 adjustment during the nighttime periods for Receptor R1 and found that, with the A2 adjustment applied, the Power Plant complied with the PSL at Receptor R1. The AUC did not approve the A2 adjustment for Receptor R3, given that there was no longer a dwelling at that location.
Decision
Based on the above findings, the AUC found the CSL Survey for the Biogas Plant met Condition 4 of the Approval.
With regard to the applied-for A2 adjustment, the AUC approved the A2 adjustment to the PSL for the nighttime period at Receptor R1.
