PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend Paper Corp.’s application for renewal of its air quality permit has passed state muster and is now before the federal Environmental Protection Administration for final approval.
Approval of the kraft paper mill’s permit is expected to come before year’s end, a state Department of Ecology official said.
“Staff in our industrial section let me know that Ecology recently sent a proposed permit to the EPA,” said Kim Schmanke, state Ecology’s Southwest Regional Office communications spokeswoman.
“The EPA has 45 days to review the proposed permit. Staff anticipate that we will issue the permit to PT Paper by the end of 2006.”
The news comes more than six months after a May public hearing at Port Townsend High School, attended by about 150.
Many of those in attendance raised questions and criticized Ecology officials about their handling of public complaints about stinky mill air emissions.
During the hearing, Ecology officials vowed to better handle complaints from residents.
Five-year air permit
Port Townsend Paper executives are seeking renewal of the more than 75-year-old mill’s five-year air operating permit.
Contacted Thursday, Chuck Madison, Port Townsend Paper’s vice president of human resources, said the company was reserving comment until the permit’s approval was final.
The mill’s permit, which expired in November 2005, covers seven units and involves emission control requirements.
Units covered include the mill’s recovery furnace, the smelt dissolving tank, lime kiln, digester, evaporators, condensate stripper and three power boilers, one of which is shut down.
New requirements in the permit include federal standards for pulping systems known as Maximum Achievable Control Technology, or MACT, which cover pulping gas collection and treatment.
The permit also covers state rules requiring that pulping gases be treated and mill gas venting be held to a minimum.
