PORT TOWNSEND — The state Department of Ecology will issue approval for a notice of construction today for a boiler upgrade at the Port Townsend Paper Corp., agency representatives said Tuesday.
“Once this is installed, the mill will run more efficiently and is necessary so it can meet new federal pollution requirements,” said Garin Schrieve, Ecology’s section manager.
The approval was expected, according to company President Roger Hagan.
“We certainly anticipated they would grant the permit because this is a project that must occur and has a deadline,” he said Tuesday.
“I appreciate Ecology acting in a timely manner so we could move ahead.”
The final order would allow Port Townsend Paper to proceed with construction on the boiler unit, which includes changes to the boiler’s air supply and the addition of new pollution-control equipment to allow the mill to meet new federal air pollution requirements.
Ecology held a public comment period and hearing on the proposed order in late 2014 that included a meeting at Fort Worden State Park.
At the time, Hearing Officer Angela Fritz said that if comments led to a change in the permit, another draft of the proposal would be prepared and a new comment period scheduled.
That did not occur, according to Stephanie Ogle, industrial section engineer.
The estimated cost of the upgrade is between $10 million and $12 million, with construction on the project to begin in the spring and finish by the fall, according to company spokesman Kevin Scott.
Critical of move
Gretchen Brewer, president of PT AirWatchers, said the installation of the new equipment may decrease pollution in the short term but that there are no long-term guarantees.
“The PB10 pollution equipment is the minimum mandated by EPA,” Brewer said in an email.
“But the air supply equipment is not a mandate, but rather the second-to-last piece of equipment needed to also become an operating biomass power generator, despite citizen objections,” she added.
“The remaining piece of equipment is a steam turbine.
“At that point, PT air pollution is projected to increase three-fold, which will accelerate and aggravate cancers, heart and lung disease and a multitude of other breathing issues, especially among children and our aging community members.”
Schrieve said Ecology reviewed mill’s application to upgrade its boiler unit and found that the project met all applicable federal and state rules and regulations for emissions.
“Ecology’s review found that the air supply system was needed to meet federal air emission standards, which it achieves by improving combustion efficiency and reducing carbon monoxide emissions,” he said in an email.
“Any additional construction on the site would be subject to a new notice of construction and review process.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
