Question 1: Air Quality and Public Health Risks

What specific emissions (particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds) are expected from the facility? How will these emissions be monitored and mitigated to protect public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, elders, and those with respiratory conditions?

Answer 1: Air emissions such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the key concerns being evaluated through the feasibility and environmental studies. These assessments will identify projected emissions, appropriate control technologies (such as scrubbers, filters, catalytic converters), and continuous monitoring protocols. Ensuring the health of Elders, children, and those with respiratory conditions will be central to our approach. These emissions are strictly regulated by Provincial and Federal bodies, and the facility will meet and exceed their regulations.

Question 2: Odour and Noise Management

What strategies will be employed to control odours from wood storage or decomposition? Additionally, how will noise from machinery and transport vehicles be managed, especially in proximity to residential or community areas?

Answer 2: Odour control strategies may include covered storage, first-in-first-out feedstock management, and active site maintenance. Noise mitigation measures under consideration include acoustic barriers, limited operation hours, and buffer zones from residential areas. These will be addressed further in the project’s environmental impact assessment.

Question 3: BDO BBB Zone Rating

It was mentioned that a BDO “BBB” Zone rating includes approximately 155,000 tons of waste wood within a 150 km radius, and that 30% of this could supply a 3 MW plant capable of powering 2,400 homes. Could you clarify the projected timeframe this feedstock would support the plant, and whether it would adequately meet SRFN’s long-term energy needs?

Answer 3: The BDO zone identified 155,000 oven-dry tonnes/yr from existing harvesting and milling operations. Fibre supply opportunities could also become available over the long term through dedicated wildfire prevention/commercial thinning operations. In recent years, wildfires have burned over 250,000 ha within the BDO Zone. It is possible that the costs associated with wildfire prevention activities (i.e., physical removal of fuel from forests) could be justified by the avoided costs of future wildfires.

At this time, we are unsure if 3 MW of electricity will be adequate for the Nation’s long-term plans, however, the feasibility study will address these requirements.

SRFN is connected to the provincial distribution grid, and excess power produced can be sold. For sustainability and reliability reasons, FIND Energy would not advocate a separate system apart from the electrical provincial grid.

Question 4: Impact of Increased Truck Traffic

How many truckloads of feedstock are expected per day or week? What measures will be in place to address impacts on road safety, dust control, and wear on local infrastructure, particularly in rural or residential zones?

Answer 4: Truck traffic volumes will depend on final plant size and feedstock delivery schedules. Preliminary modeling will estimate daily and weekly truckloads. Traffic impacts are a high priority as we select a project location.  Mitigation plans will include road upgrades (where needed), dust suppression methods, and collaboration with local authorities (County, Dept of Transportation, SRFN, etc.) to ensure safety and minimize infrastructure strain.

Question 5: Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Given the fire risk associated with large volumes of dry wood and high-temperature operations, what fire prevention and emergency response systems will be implemented to safeguard nearby communities?

Answer 5: Fire risk mitigation will be a major design priority. Practices may include firebreaks, suppression systems, water reservoirs, trained personnel, and coordination with local emergency responders. These details will be finalized once technology and plant design options are narrowed down. Alberta Environment fire codes will be met or exceeded.

Question 6: Management of Residual Toxic Materials and Wastewater

The process will generate by-products such as ash and potentially contaminated wastewater. How will these materials be managed to ensure public and environmental safety?

Answer 6: The facility is expected to generate ash and potentially process water depending on technology choice. Both will be managed in compliance with provincial environmental regulations. Options include beneficial reuse of ash (e.g., in agriculture) and water recycling systems. Safe storage, transport, and disposal protocols will be designed to protect the environment and nearby communities.

Question 7: Water Supply and Usage

A wood-fed biomass plant using a direct combustion steam turbine with wet cooling may require 28,000 to 52,000 gallons of water daily. Where do you intend to source this water from, and how will consumption be managed sustainably?

Answer 7: Water requirements depend heavily on the plant design. Most of the technologies we are considering use dry or air-cooled systems that significantly reduce water needs. If water use is necessary at the higher end of estimates, sourcing would prioritize sustainable withdrawals, recycling, and close monitoring to avoid impacts on the community or ecological systems. Water use is a key criterion in technology selection.