Delaware DNREC to hold virtual workshop in September to discuss proposed BDC biogas facility

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) announced that it will hold a community workshop on Sept. 28 to discuss a Bioenergy Devco (BDC) proposal to expand an existing composting facility in Seaford, Del.

That workshop will be entirely virtual and will focus on the permits required before BDC would be allowed to expand. Such permits include links to air quality, waste and hazardous substances, and water since the facility focuses on transforming organic waste into renewable energy. The community will be taught about the information contained in BDC’s permit applications, as well as its expansion plans, which include the construction of an anaerobic digester.

An anaerobic digester allows users to break down organic waste and convert it into renewable natural gas. Currently, BDC’s facility is permitted to accept organic waste from approved poultry industry sources for composting. Still, an expansion would allow it to receive and process up to 250,000 tons of permitted organic waste per year. Additionally, the facility could gain a wastewater pre-treatment system, a biogas upgrading plant, and an emergency generator.

Public comments will be accepted under the supervision of DNREC staff, both during the meeting and in writing before or after. Attendees will also be able to ask staff questions about the proposed project. Following this, another virtual public hearing on the project will be held on Oct. 26.

Permits applied for include a resource recovery facility permit for the anaerobic digestion system, biogas upgrading plant, and compost facility; two natural minor air pollution permits linked to the emergency generator; and two wastewater facility construction permits that would allow BDC to build its anaerobic digestion system and a wastewater pre-treatment system.