On Oct. 2, EDL Energy announced changes in their commissioning process. Operating hours have been significantly reduced. The change comes after citizens voiced concerns about the noise created by the facility at recent City Council meetings.

“Making changes to our commissioning plan is the right thing to do at this time,” EDL CEO for North America Richard DiGia said, according to a press release. “We recognize the facility has been loud and share our neighbors’ frustrations.”

Alan Margocs, who lives near the EDL plant off of Oberlin Road, said that the noise has been very disruptive, making it difficult to sleep or spend time outside. Since Monday, the noise has ceased, though it resumed Wednesday afternoon as part of the 48-hour sound testing. Margocs said he was glad EDL was responding to the concerns of nearby residents and is hopeful the changes will improve conditions in the area.

“I’m willing to give them a chance,” Margocs said. “I’m trying to not be upset, trying to let them do their good-faith testing that they need to do and correct this problem.”

The commissioning process is a necessary phase during which equipment is tested before the plant can begin processing gas to export. The statement released by EDL said that slowing the process would give the company time to work on noise mitigation. 

“This will allow our team to design and implement measures that will reduce the noise and make other improvements to our operations before we restart the commissioning process and begin producing renewable natural gas,” DiGia said. “We’re disappointed that commissioning at our Oberlin facility has moved too slowly. Making changes to our commissioning plan will allow EDL to work with our project contractors to address all operational issues and complete the commissioning process in a safe and orderly manner.”

DiGia attended the Oberlin City Council meeting on Monday where he announced that EDL would alter its commissioning schedule. DiGia announced that the plant had been shut down and that operations would resume for a 48 hour period on Wednesday and Thursday to allow for sound testing. He promised that the facility would be shut off again by the weekend and that EDL had contracted an independent acoustical engineering firm to assist with noise testing and mitigation.

Following the recent Oct. 3rd Candidates Night, City Council candidate Frieda Fuchs spoke to the Review about the facility.

“It is crucial for the city to encourage EDL to join OSHA’s voluntary compliance program. While EDL claims to have met and exceeded federal safety standards, we must explore additional safety measures,” Fuchs said. “The plant’s proximity to residential areas and use of methane processing technology make it imperative to prevent a possible gas leak. Furthermore, we need to determine if EDL follows EPA noise regulations and can address the issues that bother nearby residents.”