Noise Concerns at the Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station - September 2025 Update

Yukon Energy has a mix of owned diesel generators, liquefied natural gas (LNG) generators and rental diesel generators at the Whitehorse Rapids Generating Station (WRGS). Diesel and LNG play an important role in the Yukon, providing electricity when there is not enough hydro power available, during emergencies, and when other renewable sources of power are not available. Yukon Energy operates the thermal generators at the WRGS under an air emissions permit that was renewed in January 2025. It allows us to operate a maximum of 42 megawatts at the facility. A copy of the permit is available here.

We recognize that Riverdale residents have concerns about the noise from the generators as well as their impact on air quality.

Noise

In compliance with our permit, Yukon Energy submitted to the Government of Yukon an environmental monitoring plan and a plan for noise mitigation at the facility. A recent noise assessment found that our owned diesel generators housed in the blue building (WD4 to 7) are the loudest. The plan states that in 2025, we are investigating noise mitigation options for these units and will rely on engineers and noise mitigation experts to recommend solutions and conduct any engineering design. Mitigation measures will be installed and operating before December 31, 2026. 

What has YEC been working on this summer?

Air

When Yukon Energy renewed its air emissions permit for the WRGS, we hired WSP Canada Inc. to conduct an air quality assessment. The assessment looked at two scenarios, both based on the plant running at full capacity during unlikely, worst-case weather conditions. It found the following:

• Levels of sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide are well below standard levels.
• Fine, coarse and suspended particulates are higher in the immediate area of the power plant but nowhere else.
• The baseline concentrations of nitrogen dioxide without the facility are already elevated, with the 1-hour baseline at 65% of the current Yukon Ambient Air Quality Standards and 93% of the 2025 Yukon Ambient Air Quality Standards.

A Human Health Risk Assessment found no significant health risks. More details are available in Yukon Energy’s proposal on the YESAB online registry for Project Assessment Number 2024-0103. As part of the same environmental monitoring plan that has information about noise mitigation, we will move forward with an air quality monitoring program that will focus on NOx emissions. We plan to install and commission the station before the end of this year, subject to the availability of the proposed equipment/materials and a qualified contractor(s).