Proposed Amendments to Boilers and Process Heaters Emission Regulation

Overview
Metro Vancouver is considering amendments to the GVRD Boilers and Process Heaters Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1087, 2008 (Bylaw 1087), which regulates the discharge of air contaminants from boilers and process heaters in buildings and some industrial facilities in the Metro Vancouver region.

Boilers and process heaters are sources of air contaminants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Emissions of NOx result in the formation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and can also contribute to the formation of harmful ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. Because NO2 is harmful even at low concentrations, it is important to protect sensitive populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with existing cardiac and respiratory conditions, from exposure to NO2.

The proposed amendments aim to support continuous improvement to regional ambient air quality and protection of human health by further reducing the discharge of health-harming air contaminants from boilers and process heaters.

The proposed amendments include:

• More stringent emission limits for NOx
• Additional dispersion modelling requirements to demonstrate achievement of ambient air quality objectives
• Additional requirements for emission stack design to reduce nearby impacts

For more information on the proposed amendments, please see the discussion paper.