PORT TOWNSEND — The state Department of Ecology received about 200 public comments during a public comment on a proposed order that would allow the construction of a $55 million biomass incinerator at the Port Townsend Paper mill.
Ecology will not provide a response, or publish the comments online, until additional public comment sought only on the potential environmental effects of the facility during a period that ends Friday are collected and analyzed.
The cogeneration project, in which the mill’s main boiler would be converted to use waste wood from the North Olympic Peninsula, would generate electrical power while cutting some emissions — and raising others — and providing up to 25 megawatts of electricity for sale.
Mill officials expect to begin construction by the end of the year, with the new system to be in operation by mid-2012.
Mill officials have said the project would help the mill retain its existing 209 jobs while creating 108 temporary jobs.
Ecology is deciding if it will issue an order that would permit the mill to begin construction.
The draft order establishes air emission limits and other requirements the mill must meet.
The public comment period on the notice of construction was closed in August.
Another comment period, which ends Friday, was opened only on the topic of potential environmental affects of the proposed facility.
The Peninsula Daily News obtained the public comments received during the first round of comment through a records request.
In broad strokes, many of those supporting the project cite the economic boost while opponents warn of a possible adverse environmental impact.
“There will be 30 or 40 good paying new jobs from this project and 175 to install it,” said Katherine Baril, Washington State University Extension director in Port Hadlock.
“Innovation is what is going to grow this economy and we are lucky to have this proposal.”
Kevin Clark disagreed.
“It’s a false choice and divisive claim to say we must choose between jobs and health,” he said in his comment.
“I’m concerned about the new incinerator exacerbating the impact of pollutants on the health of the community.”
Several public officials in addition to Baril expressed support, including all three Jefferson County Commissioners, County Auditor Donna Eldridge, representatives of the Port of Port Townsend and the Jefferson County Public Utility District.
Joseph Murray, who identified himself as a forester on the Olympic Peninsula for 38 years, said: “I think this project provides a balanced solution to some of the difficult problems we all face.
“We don’t live in a vacuum. We live in a world economy and this is part of it.”
Critics included members of PT AirWatchers, a clean-air advocacy group, as well as several people who live near the mill.
“It’s unfortunate that this permit is being processed before all of the research is done,” said Michele Bruns.
“Research is beginning to show severe health hazards from the tiniest particles..”
The present comment period, which closes Friday, is on the proposed facility’s compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act — or SEPA.
Ecology spokesperson Kim Schmanke said that both comment periods should have run concurrently, and that the additional public comment period corrected an oversight.
Shmanke said the decision to approve or disapprove the project could be announced “as soon as a few weeks” after Friday’s comment deadline.
The present comment period deals with the proposal’s potential impacts on the earth, air, water, plants, animals, energy, environmental health, land use, transportation, public services, and utilities.
Members of PT AirWatchers and other project opponents plan to mark the end of the second comment period with a “spiritual rally.”
The rally will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday on the dock at the end of Water Street in Port Townsend.
After the comments are collected and responses prepared, the package will be published online at Ecology’s website, www.ecy.wa.gov.
Until then the comments are not available online, but can be viewed at Ecology’s office, 300 Desmond Drive SE Lacey, WA 98503.
Public disclosure requests can be made by phone at 360-407-6040, by fax at 360-407-7060 or by mail to Public Disclosure Officer, WA Dept. of Ecology, PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600.
Copying costs for all comments is approximately $35.
Comment will be accepted through Friday on Ecology’s proposed determination of non-significance concerning the environmental effects of the cogeneration facility.
Documents pertaining to this public comment period are available at http://tinyurl.com/382porh; the Port Townsend Library, 1220 Lawrence St.; and the state Department of Ecology, Industrial Section, 300 Desmond Way SE, Lacey, WA 98503.
Comments can be mailed to Marc Heffner, Department of Ecology, Industrial Section, P.O. Box 47706, Olympia, WA 98504-7706.
Or they can be e-mailed to Mhef461@ecy.wa.gov or faxed to 360-407-6102.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
