Changes to IP Mill Could Lower Air Pollution; State Seeks Public Feedback

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is accepting public feedback on a proposal that it says would reduce air pollution at International Paper in Riegelwood. The public comment period is open until Feb. 3.

The state regulators announced the public comment period in a Dec. 20 news release. IP’s plan modification “is expected to significantly reduce emissions of air pollution, particularly volatile organic compounds and sulfur dioxide,” the release said.

​​According to the release, International Paper seeks to modify its existing Title V air quality permit. These proposed changes come a year after International Paper’s closure of the No. 20 pulp machine at its Riegelwood plant.

The proposed changes to International Paper’s permit “would allow for a reconfiguration at the mill that would allow the remaining pulp dryer to accommodate 1,400 tons of finished pulp a day,” the release said.

International Paper is also proposing reducing the amount of fossil fuels it burns in its boiler and using “additional biomass” instead.

The agency’s release says DAQ reviewed “air toxics dispersion modeling” to predict how pollutants would enter the atmosphere from the plant. DAQ found that the conditions laid out in IP’s application would “ensure ambient levels of all pollutants emitted by the facility beyond the facility’s fence line comply with emission standards, including applicable health-based standards.”

How to share feedback

According to NCDAQ, the public can e-mail comments to daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with “IP Riegelwood.24B” in the subject line. The public can also leave comments by calling 919-707-8714 and leaving a voicemail.

Comments can also be mailed to:

NCDEQ Division of Air Quality

1641 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1641

Comments or requests for a public hearing will be accepted until Feb. 3, 2025

NCDAQ will consider all public comments before making a final decision on the proposed permit, the release said.

Facilities emitting air pollutants are subject to recordkeeping and reporting requirements and regular inspections by NCDAQ.

Courtesy: www.nrcolumbus.com