MEETING NOTICE RAMSEY/WASHINGTON RECYCLING & ENERGY BOARD FACILITY COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 MEETING NOTICE RAMSEY/WASHINGTON RECYCLING & ENERGY BOARD FACILITY COMMITTEE Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017 Time: 9:00 10:30 a.m. Place: Ramsey County Environmental Health Offices 2785 White Bear Ave Suite 350 Maplewood, MN AGENDA: I. Call to Order and Introductions II. Approval of Agenda Action Page 1 III. Approval of R&E Facility Committee Minutes February 22, 2016 Action Page 3 IV. Monitor Facility Operations a. Update on Odor Study Information Page 6 V. Recommendations to Budget Committee a Facility and Equipment Maintenance & Replacement Information Page 10 Budgets VI. Technology Improvements Information Page 37 VII. VIII. Updates Adjourn 1 P age 1

2 FACILITY COMMITTEE (Approved by the R&E Board, October 22, 2015) Policy The Facility Committee is authorized to monitor management of Facility operations and Facility operational procedures and policies, and make recommendations to the Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Board Executive Committee or Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Board (R&E Board) as appropriated to ensure efficient management and operations of the Facility. Guidelines The Facility Committee consists of the 3 members, includes one commissioner from Washington County and two commissioners from Ramsey County. Members of the Facility Committee are appointed by the Chair of the R&E Board each year. When votes occur, a member of each county must be present. Responsibility 1. Monitor Facility operations. 2. Monitor Facility operational procedures and policies. 3. Review new technologies that are appropriate to the Facility. 4. Review major Facility improvement plans. 5. Make Facility recommendations, including capital and technology improvements, to the R&E Board. 6. Other duties as assigned. The committee will operate in accordance with operating procedures established by the R&E Board. Meetings are scheduled as necessary. Source Approval of Amended and Restated Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Board Joint Powers Agreement Resolutions (Washington County Board # and Ramsey County B ), September 22, Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Board approval of Bylaws, October 22, Standing committees are subject to the orders of the R&E Board and committee actions may not conflict with actions or directions of the R&E Board. Subject to the notice requirements set forth in Article II, Section I of the R&E Board Bylaws, committee meetings may be held at the discretion of the respective chairperson of each committee. 2 P age 2

3 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2017 RECYCLING & ENERGY BOARD FACILITY COMMITTEE MINUTES A meeting of the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board Facility Committee (Facility Committee) meeting was held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the Ramsey County Environmental Health Office, 2785 White Bear Avenue N., Suite 350, Maplewood, Minnesota. MEMBERS PRESENT Commissioner Karla Bigham Washington County Commissioners Rafael Ortega Ramsey County MEMBERS ABSENT Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire Ramsey County EX OFFICIO MEMBER PRESENT Bill Sumner City of Newport ALSO ATTENDING Kate Bartelt, Anna Burke, Zack Hansen, Kelli Hall, Judy Hunter, Jennefer Klennert, Sean Pfeiffer, Katie Shaw, Tim Steinbeck, Ryan Tritz, Kris Wehlage, Joe Wozniak Introductions were made. CALL TO ORDER/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chair Bigham called the meeting to order. She asked that agenda item VI. Monitor Facility Operational Procedures and Policies be moved to item IV. and agenda item IV. Monitor Facility Operations be moved to VI. With that change, Commissioner Ortega moved, seconded by Commissioner Bigham, to approve the agenda. Roll Call: Ayes: 2 Nays: 0 Motion Carried. APPROVE OF R&E FACILITY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 25, 2016 Commissioner Ortega moved, seconded by Commissioner Bigham, to approve the August 25, 2016 R&E Board Facility Committee Minutes. Roll Call: Ayes: 2 Nays: 0 Motion Carried. MONITOR FACILITY OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES AND POLICIES Budget Development Process and Timeline Zack Hansen reviewed the budget process and timeline. Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Fund Policy Zack Hansen said the action requested is for the Facility Committee to review and bring forward comments to the Budget Committee on the proposed Equipment Maintenance and Fund Policy. The Budget Committee will act on it and bring it to the R&E Board in March. 3

4 Mr. Hansen said the purpose of this fund is to make sure that maintenance is not deferred and the R&E Board s investment in the R&E Center is protected. The following types of revenue will be deposited into the Equipment Maintenance & Replacement fund: Sale of recyclables Sale of surplus equipment Miscellaneous recoveries of operating expenses Budgeted amounts Year end surpluses Commissioner Bigham moved, seconded by Commissioner Ortega, to recommend to the Budget Committee, the proposed Equipment Maintenance and Fund Policy. Roll Call: Ayes: 2 Nays: 0 Motion Carried. MONITOR FACILITY OPERATIONS 2016 R&E Center Operating Report Judy Hunter gave an overview of the R&E Center 2016 year to date operating results. Odor Study Findings and Next Steps Judy Hunter provided an overview on the December 2016 Progress Report which was presented to the Newport City Council on the R&E Center Odor Mitigation Study. She highlighted the following: Odor measurement 14 baseline testing locations Baseline testing results Tipping floor best management practices Wind direction Weather station A discussion took place regarding the odor issues during special events and holidays, same day waste processing, and stock piling waste. Next steps: Analyze air flow Measurement & odor complaint system Communication OVERSEE NEW TECHNOLOGY Scope and Status of Technology, R&E Center Improvements Zack Hansen reported on the scope and status of technology improvements. Commissioner Ortega left the meeting. SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, TRAININGS Judy Hunter summarized the following conferences: North American Waste to Energy Conference (NAWTEC) April 24 26, Minneapolis Resource Recycling Conference August 28 30, Minneapolis WasteCon, ISWA September 25 27, Baltimore OTHER The next R&E Board Facility Committee meeting is scheduled for April 20,

5 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Bigham adjourned the meeting. Approved: Date: 5

6 FACILITY COMMITTEE R&E BOARD FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: April 20, 2017 AGENDA ITEM: IV.a. SUBJECT: Update on Odor Study TYPE OF ITEM: INFORMATION POLICY DISCUSSION ACTION SUBMITTED BY: Joint Leadership Team FACILITY COMMITTEE ACTION REQUESTED: Provide comment on the 2017 Odor Study Work Scope. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: An update on the progress achieved on the 2016 Odor Study was provided at the February 22, 2017 R&E Board Facility Committee meeting. The study is an ongoing assessment to identify and refine areas of possible odor impacts from the R&E Center. Staff will present suggested areas of assessment and focus for 2017 for committee consideration. ATTACHMENTS: 2017 R&E Board Odor Study Work Scope. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES DATE JOINT LEADERSHIP TEAM 4/12/17 RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY 6

7 2017 R&E Board Odor Study Work Scope The work scope summarizes the 2016 Odor Study results and describes tasks needed for This is an ongoing assessment of factors and conditions surrounding the area. In 2016, the Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board (R&E Board) conducted an odor study for the Recycling & Energy Center (R&E Center) waste processing facility in Newport, MN. As the new owner of the R&E Center, the R&E Board wanted to proactively take steps to address and study the incidence of odor related to R&E Center operations. Several tasks were completed in 2016 which provided baseline information to identify the scope of the issue and refine areas of possible odor impact. Work in 2017 continues in three main areas: Continuing to assess the incidence of odors off site, working with the City of Newport to respond to complaints, and phasing in one or more mitigation options and continuing to evaluate others. Key Findings from 2016 Odor is complicated. It is a sensory perception, and is caused by chemicals that stimulate nerve endings in the nose. Odor is subjective, it may or may not be perceived as offensive or a nuisance. Odors are difficult to measure. Initially, the R&E Board sampled 14 locations for 8 weeks in the summer of 2016 and identified that: o Odors are present from multiple sources in the area. o R&E Center is responsible for a limited number of odor issues. o Odor detection off site from the R&E Center is related more to weather conditions, specifically wind speed (constant) and direction (N or NW) than the amount of waste on the tipping floor. The study reviewed odor regulations and odor plans in Minnesota. Staff and consultants have met with a number of entities (City of Newport, City of South Saint Paul, Sanimax, Inc., Washington County s Community Development Agency). Steps Implemented in 2016 Best practices for R&E Center tipping floor management completed. Weather station installed at the R&E Center to provide timely and specific weather condition information. Identification of possible odor management options: Installation of Doors to help with air flow Air handling systems (air flow in building, ceiling and side vents) Air filtering (carbon, bio filters) Misting systems 7

8 Recommended areas of focus for 2017 R&E Center air handling systems Continue to evaluate other odor management options (misting systems, air filtering, doors, etc.) Odor monitoring Odor complaints Communication R&E Center Air Handling Systems The R&E Center has seven large 5 foot active roof vent fans, over the tipping floor area, that each move approximately 65,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM). As a comparison a 3 foot ceiling fan in a residential bedroom moves approximately 6,000 CFM. The large fans are located on the tipping floor roof and provide air exchanges for inside the building. Air in the tipping floor building is cycled at the rate of 10 times per hour to provide fresh air exchange. The R&E Center also has six smaller 48 inch vent fans over the processing area (each move approximately 42,000 CFM) and a variety of passive vents on the building. Initial research indicates that all of the fans are controlled on separate electrical switches, but the fans run continuously at one speed. This work will complete a review of the air handling systems within the R&E Center. The work will include but not be limited to: Meet with Hennepin County for direct experience in air venting systems at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC). Review air ventilation system at Great River Energy s, Elk River waste processing facility. Test output of active air vents weekly utilizing the olfactometer for a period of 8 weeks. Evaluate air ventilation system and management operations at the R&E Center. Identify modifications that could be made to the air ventilation system to reduce odor incidences. Verify, monitor and test systems of a variety of air exchange frequency s and fan operations to ensure proper air flow for R&E Center operations. Evaluate and if deemed to be effective and feasible, propose to the R&E Board that it fund and install variable speed drives for fans. 8

9 Continue to Evaluate Other Odor Management Options Conduct research on available systems or modifications to the R&E Center that could mitigate odors, and develop criteria for possible application to R&E Center. Identify costs, applicability, and impacts. Odor Monitoring To provide ongoing information continue to monitor odor condition in close proximity to the R&E Center. Using a trained nose, Foth, GRENS or county staff will monitor odor at 3 locations (on site, near transit station and near Hastings Ave and 21rst St.) on a regular basis. Measurement will include intensity (strength 1 5), type of odor, if any at the time of testing, and current weather conditions. Data will be documented. Testing will be conducted based on weather conditions, including wind out of the north/northwest. Depending on conditions, testing will initially be done once per week starting in June Odor complaints Monitor any odor complaints received from South St Paul or the City of Newport. Examine the ability to develop a pilot, trained nose odor testing system to verify real time odor complaints from the City of Newport, on complaints received during work hours of 8:00am 4:30pm. Because of the need to verify the odor complaint within a half hour of receiving the complaint, test the use of training two or three Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment staff and/or Washington County Environmental Center contract staff to respond. Review the ability to establish and implement odor complaint monitoring system. Communication Develop a page on the R&E Board website about odor, to inform the public of the R&E Board s evaluation of odor, steps being taken and areas of focus. Based on findings of additional research and direction selected, develop a communications plan for residents in the area. Below is a timeline for the 2017 work plan. 9

10 FACILITY COMMITTEE R&E BOARD FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: April 20, 2017 AGENDA ITEM: V.a. SUBJECT: Facility and Equipment Maintenance & Replacement Budgets TYPE OF ITEM: INFORMATION POLICY DISCUSSION ACTION SUBMITTED BY: Joint Leadership Team FACILITY COMMITTEE ACTION REQUESTED: Discussion and recommendations to the Budget Committee related to the draft budget documents. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Two proposed Budgets for the Recycling and Energy Board budget are presented for review by the Facility Committee at its April 20, 2017 meeting. Two year budgets are included for the Facility and Equipment Maintenance & Replacement (EM&R) Budgets. The latter also includes a five year rolling replacement and maintenance schedule. Also included is a template for future capital projects, such as work related to odor mitigation, to illustrate how such projects would be budgeted. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Memorandum DRAFT Facility Budget DRAFT Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Budget 4. Template for future capital budgets FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Upon final approval the financial implications will be explicit in the approved budgets. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES DATE JOINT LEADERSHIP TEAM 4/11/17 RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY 4/11/17 WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY 4/10/17 10

11 April 13, 2017 To: From: RE: Recycling and Energy Board Finance Committee Joint Leadership Team Facility and Equipment Maintenance & Replacement Budgets Introduction Two proposed Budgets for the Recycling and Energy Board budget are presented for initial review by the Facility Committee at its April 20, 2017 meeting, for the purpose of making recommendations to the Budget Committee, which meets later the same day. Two year budgets are included for both the Facility Budget and Equipment Maintenance & Replacement (EM&R) Budget. The latter also includes a five year rolling replacement and maintenance schedule. Also included is a template for a capital project, such as work related to odor mitigation, to illustrate how such projects would be budgeted. Attachments Facility Budget Equipment Maintenance & Replacement (EM&R) Budget Facility Budget The Facility budget is an enterprise fund. This budget includes funding to operate and administer the Facility. In the R&E Board contracted with GRENS as a Transition Facility Operator, and paid that operator a management fee and reimbursed various pass through expenses. In the R&E Board will pay all expenses as it fully operates the R&E Center. It is important to note that the Facility Budget was approved by the R&E Board in October 2015, two months before the Facility was purchased, and was based on Life Cycle analyses that Foth prepared in The Committee will recall that the R&E Board did not have access to Resource Recovery Technologies financial statements or budgets, and the Facility Budget was built without direct knowledge of facility operations. It was acknowledged that the approved 2016 Facility budget was a best guess, and until there was operating experience, actual operating costs couldn t be known until R&E Board operations began. The budget is based on the 2016 experience that GRENS and the R&E Board have had in operating the R&E Center. For that reason, there will be larger disparities (positive and negative) when comparing the figures with 2017 figures. Page 1 of 4 11

12 It should be noted that there are several outstanding expenses that are still being developed and that will be presented to the Budget Committee in May these are noted in the major changes descriptions that follow. Line Items are described in the budget document. Personnel Costs: These are costs for Union and non Union staff at the R&E Center. Projected expenses are an increase of $0.5% for 2018, and an increase of2.4% in Fuel Supply: Expenses related to use of RDF by Xcel Energy and GRE Elk River. At the time this draft was prepared, neither fuel supply agreement was completed. Figures in this draft budget use fees from the current Fuel Supply Agreements, and these will change. Landfill: Costs associated with the landfilling of process residue, bulky waste residue at landfills under contract to the R&E Board. At the time this draft budget was prepared, agreements with landfills were not completed; the figures in the draft budget are based on current Agreements, and will likely change. Based on 2016 actual expenses, the projections are double those found in the 2017 budget. A major reason is the difference is waste volumes between budgets (385,000 compared to 440,000 tons). Transportation: These are expenses for contractors that haul R&E Board materials to and from a number of locations, including delivering waste to the R&E Center from transfer stations, hauling residue to landfills, hauling RDF to power plants, and hauling metals to markets. Projected transportation costs are projected to be higher in than budgeted in 2017, but are similar to actual expenses experienced in Transload: Expenses paid to transfer stations under contract for the transfer of Ramsey/Washington county waste from haulers with waste delivery agreements to the R&E Center expenses are projected to be up 0.7% and 2019 up 2.5% Facility Operations: Expenses related to operating the R&E Center and 2019 expenses are projected to be steady. Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Fund: Includes transfer from the Facility Budget to the Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Budget, including a budgeted line item and revenue from sale of recyclables. Tipping Fee & Rebate In order to assure sufficient revenue for the Facility Budget the R&E Board needs to establish a tipping fee for waste delivered to the Facility. At this time the draft budget includes total tipping fee revenue that matches expenses, but a specific tipping fee is not identified. This is because several important budget items are in the process of being resolved. The JLT will not recommend a specific tipping fee until the budget proceeds through the adoption process. In a related action, the R&E Board will need to approve the level of hauler rebates for 2018 and 2019 for those haulers that enter into waste delivery agreements for Ramsey and Washington County waste. The draft Facility Budget prepared by staff includes a rebate at $12 per ton; this should be considered a placeholder until further work on the budget is completed. In May, staff will recommend a per ton hauler rebate, so that haulers delivering waste from Ramsey and Washington Counties would know a net per ton tipping for waste from Ramsey and Washington Counties. Assuming that 440,000 tons are received from Ramsey and Washington Counties, and a projected rebate of $12 per ton, the total amount needed for rebates is projected at $5,280,000. This compares to $4,020,000 in (when fewer tons were budgeted) and $8,400,000 for previous years under private ownership when the Page 2 of 4 12

13 rebate was $28 per ton. Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Budget The recently adopted Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Policy (March, 2017) states: Each year, during the annual budget process, the JLT, in consultation with the Facility Manager and the R&E engineering consultant will amend and adjust a rolling five-year replacement and maintenance schedule. The non-routine repairs, Major Maintenance Projects and Major Equipment replacements on this schedule that will occur in the next budget year will be identified and proposed for funding from the EM&R fund. If approved by the Board, the JLT will then direct the fiscal agent to make appropriate adjustments to the R&E Budget. Should the need for unanticipated major maintenance or replacement arise during the year, the JLT will request the use of EM&R funds from the Board through its regular administrative processes. A five year estimate for Equipment Maintenance and Repair expense is attached: This includes major maintenance projects that are infrequent or are scheduled on a non routine basis. Maintenance projects that are not of this type are funded as part of routine operations in the annual Facility Budget. Based on this five year estimate, a Equipment Maintenance and Replacement Budget has been prepared, showing the projected expenses from the 5 year estimates. Odor Mitigation Expenses The R&E Board is currently analyzing issues related to odor, including assessment of the conditions that lead to experieince of odors off site from the R&E Center, the intensity and character of the odors, how operations affects odors, and any possible mitigation steps that could mitigate odor generation and dispersal. At this time, while possible options for addressing odor have been identified, whether those options are feasible and effective has not been determined. More about possible improvements to the R&E Center will be understood Page 3 of 4 13

14 later in Should those improvements involve equipment purchase and installation, the JLT recommends that a separate Capital Project budget be developed. A template for such a budget is included with these materials. Funding sources for capital projects, such as odor mitigation, would need to be identified as part of the development of such a budget. Page 4 of 4 14

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37 FACILITY COMMITTEE R&E BOARD FACILITY COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: April 20, 2017 AGENDA ITEM: VI. SUBJECT: Technology Improvements TYPE OF ITEM: INFORMATION POLICY DISCUSSION ACTION SUBMITTED BY: Joint Leadership Team FACILITY COMMITTEE ACTION REQUESTED: Information only. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A major project of the R&E Board, related to the original reason for purchase of the Recycling & Energy Center, is evaluation, design and implementation of technology improvements to meet the vision for future waste and resource management. The Facility Committee plays a key role in this work. The JLT has prepared information that outlines the pathway in this process. The attached memo identifies key tasks and dates. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Memo from JLT: Technology Improvements at the R&E Center FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The work described is included in the approved 2017 R&E Board Joint Activities budget, and is included in the proposed Joint Activities budget. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES DATE JOINT LEADERSHIP TEAM 4/11/17 RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY 37

38 April 13, 2017 To: Recycling & Energy Board Facility Committee From: Joint Leadership Team (JLT) Re: Technology Improvements to the R&E Center Ramsey and Washington Counties, first through the Resource Recovery Project, and more recently through the Recycling and Energy Board, have continuously evaluated technologies related to waste processing (Attachment A). Since 2013, the R&E Board has been assessing how new or different technologies can help achieve the scope for resource management (See Appendix B). The current focus of the R&E Board s work has been narrowed to evaluating how to integrate mixed waste processing (MWP) technology into the R&E Center, how to develop markets for organic materials through anaerobic digestion, and for refuse derived fuel (RDF) through gasification. Integrating MPW and Developing Anaerobic Digestion Markets The work on new technologies can be viewed as having four steps. The diagram below, Pathway to MWP, shows how the R&E Board is currently at step three, Identify the Preferred MWP Solution, in its analysis. The Pathway to MWP describes the decision making process to help the R&E Board Facility Committee and R&E Board move through the phases of analysis into operations. The remaining analysis work in steps 3 and 4 are focused on addressing the outstanding engineering, legal, financial and policy considerations and how the R&E Board can move onto step four, Implementation. Pathway to MWP 1. Identify Opportunities Achieve higher recycling goals Increase organics diversion Waste as a resource 2. Evaluate Technology Visit facilites with MWP solutions Investigate technology solutions options (RFEI) Talk to vendors and their clients 3. Identify the Preferred MWP Solution Narrow technology solutions to meet R&E Board needs Balance risk and benefit with economic and societal costs Procure technology and vendor(s) 4. Implementation Construction, testing and training Operate Steps 3 and 4: Key activities and timeline Steps 3 and 4 of the pathway to MWP starts by defining and designing a MWP system that meets the R&E Board s needs by taking the knowledge gathered during the last several years to produce: 38

39 Preliminary design alternatives; Specific recycling and organics recovery goals desired by the R&E Board; Clear understanding of the financial return on investment, costs of alternatives, and social and environmental impacts of this decision; Organics management solutions that meet East Metro specific needs and economic constraints; A time sensitive and appropriate solicitation tool for procuring technology solutions; and A clear path to financing MWP and related improvements. This analysis is estimated to take 18 months to complete. At the end of 18 months, a MWP technology solution will ready for R&E Board consideration. The timeline for procurement release, construction and full operations will depend greatly upon the scope of the MWP technology solution desired but is estimated to take another 18 months for financing, procurement, and contracting, with an additional 2 years for construction and testing. The proposed Pathway to MWP has a desired full operation target date of October The table below outlines key dates and activities. ACTIVITY START END NOTES Analysis Completion 4/1/ /1/2018 Target date for engineering, financial, legal and policy analysis completion and explore legislative opportunities [18 months] MWP Pathway and Financing Selection Design Build Procurement Release Design Build Contractor/Vendors Selected 4/1/2017 2/1/2019 Target date for R&E Board approval of MWP pathway and financing mechanism(s) [+ 4 months] 4/1/2017 5/1/2019 Target date for identifying how to issue Design Build Procurement, legal and financial issues addressed, other vendors as needed [+ 3 months] 5/1/ /1/2019 [+ 6 months] Construction Mobilization 10/1/2019 1/1/2020 [+ 3 months] Construction 1/1/2020 9/1/2021 [+ 18 months] Testing 9/1/2021 3/1/2022 [+ 6 months] Full Operations 3/1/ /1/2022 Reach full operations Outreach and Education 4/1/ /1/2022 Community and key stakeholder engagement, communications with possible partners including vendors [Ongoing] Transfer Station Engagement 4/1/ /1/2022 Ongoing engagement with transfer stations on their role in organics separation [Ongoing] 39

40 Gasification Gasification is an emerging technology for converting Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), aka shredded trash, to a biobased fuel or chemical using intense heat. The R&E Board is looking to procure gasification services from a private sector end market vendor. Several key elements have been completed to assist the R&E Board in identifying and vetting a private sector gasification vendor including: Issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest in September 2014 to better understand the commercial viability of gasification technology and its ability to integrate within the East Metro system; Visiting reference facilities; and Engaging in on going conversations with multiple vendors. Note: In the startup phases, gasification would use some but not all of the shredded trash currently being combusted by Xcel Energy plants. During the next 5 years, RDF produced at the R&E Center would continue to be transported to Xcel Energy plants in Red Wing and Mankato for combustion. The goal of finding a gasification vendor would be to phase out RDF combustion and move solely to RDF gasification over a set period of time. More than one gasification vendor could be a partner/rdf user. Key activities and timeline The next step for the R&E Board in its pathway to Gasification include: Ascertaining the engineering specifications and volume of RDF needed for gasification and any changes needed to be made at the R&E Center; Identifying an appropriate solicitation tool for procuring one or more private sector end market users of RDF; and Developing a clear understanding of the financial return on investment, costs of alternatives, and social and environmental impacts of this decision. This solicitation review and final analysis is estimated to take 1 year to complete with the goal of issuing a request for services in Role of the Facility Committee The Facility Committee s role in these improvements, as approved by the R&E Board in October 2015 is to: Review new technologies that are appropriate to the Facility, Review major Facility improvement plans, and Make Facility recommendations, including capital and technology improvements, to the R&E Board. Beginning in May 2017, a significant amount of the Committee s time will be spent on the technology improvement process. At the May meeting, staff will present a more specific timeline and work plan to assist the Committee process. 40

41 Attachment A Ramsey/Washington County Resource Recovery Project Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Board Technology Related Reports April 2000, Research Feasibility of Dedicated Combustion, Foth Report April 2000, Research Study of Alternative Waste Processing Technologies, Foth Report November 2001, Comparisons of Potential Electricity Production from RDF and LFG, Foth Report September 2004, Updated Research Study of Alternative Waste Processing Technologies, Foth Report May 2008, Updated Research Study of Alternative Waste Processing Technologies. Foth Report May 2008, Carbon Emission Analysis to Transport Recyclable Paper, Foth Report June 2009, Source Separate Organics Materials Anaerobic Digestion Feasibility Study, Foth Report June 2010, Organic Materials from Commercial Establishments a Supply Assessment. Foth Report April 2011, Organics Collection Efficiencies, Memo from Foth May 2011, An Integrated Organic Waste Management System From the Perspective of Commercial Waste Generators, JL Taitt and Associates January 2012, Request for Expressions of Interest Regarding Organic Waste Transfer Station Capacity and Related Management Services. Resource Recovery Document October 2013, Preliminary Technical Status of the Newport and Two Xcel Combustion, Facilities, Foth October 2013, Alternative Technologies for Municipal Solid Waste, Foth January 2014, Technology Comparative Analysis Foth January 2014, Preliminary Resource Recovery Feasibility Report, Foth Memorandum from Foth, dated April 18, 2014 Water Needs and Use for Selected Technologies. Memorandum from Foth dated April 18, 2014 Two additional technology options requested. Memorandum from Foth dated April 18, 2014 Follow up on Technology Financial Analysis. Memorandum from Foth, dated April 18, 2014 Sanigreen/Sanimax Summary Process Overview, Permitting Status; and Proposed Feedstocks. Memorandum from Foth, dated April 18, 2014 Follow up comparison of the Current Newport RDF Plant and Vecoplan System. Memorandum from Foth dated April 18, 2014 Ethanol Demand versus Production. Memorandum from Foth, dated April 18, 2014 Energy Analysis of Selected Processes Memorandum from Foth, dated April 18, 2014 Follow up on Technology Siting and Permitting Analysis September 2014 Report from Foth titled Waste Composition Study September 2014 Memo from Foth titled Estimated Calculations of Additional SSR/SSO Tons 41

42 September 2014 Report from Foth titled Analysis of Mixed Waste Processing (MWP) at the Newport Resource Recovery Facility September 2014 Report from Foth titled Summary of Responses to Request for Expressions of Interest on Gasification Technologies to Process Mixed Municipal Solid Waste September 15, 2014 SaniGreen/Sanimax Summary of Status Discussion on August 27, 2014, memo from Foth. 42

43 Attachment B: Scope for Resource Management 43