The Town of High River has submitted an appeal regarding the Rimrock Renewables biodigester, after council voted unanimously to do so during its last meeting.
The project was approved by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas in December, which allowed Rimrock Renewables Ltd. to construct and operate the Rimrock Biodigester Natural Gas Facility.
The appeal was submitted to Alberta’s Environmental Appeals Board on Jan. 10, the Town said in a press release.
The Town said that it will be directly affected by the approval due to its proximity to the project and specifically lists possible impacts to water quality, traffic, noise, and air quality on the Town and its residents.
In the appeal, the Town asks that the liquid digestate pond be enclosed in a tank system or that the pond be covered, and that stricter operating requirements be implemented for construction and operation of the facility.
The Town wants the project to be put under the oversight of the Alberta Energy Regulator, noting that it is a fuel-producing facility producing combustible gas, which should be subject to the same level of oversight of a petroleum and natural gas plant.
As part of its appeal, the Town requested permission to present information to the Environmental Appeals Board during the hearing.
Residents can submit inquiries through at highriver.ca/report-a-concern and can find information about the status of the appeal on the Environmental Appeals Board website.