Ecology, James River Sign Air Quality Settlement at Camas Pulp Mill

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 18, 1997
97-138

Contacts:
Mike Palko (360) 407-6906, Industrial section manager
Merley McCall (360) 407-6929, Industrial section
Larry Altose (425) 649-7192, Public information

Additional Contacts:
James River media relations: Carolyn McGreevy, 360-896-7902
City of Camas: Fire Chief Dave Arts, 360-834-2262

Ecology, James River Sign Air Quality Settlement at Camas Pulp Mill

Olympia, WA - The Washington Department of Ecology and the James River Paper Company have gone to court as partners, not adversaries, to improve air pollution controls at the company's pulp and paper mill in Camas, Washington. A legal agreement between the two received final approval today in Clark County Superior Court.

Under the accord--called a consent decree--James River agrees to pay a penalty of $82,357, fund a $114,100 local emergency communications project, and perform emission control improvements on nine parts of the Camas mill. The company has already spent $7,170,630 on emission control projects, according to reports filed with Ecology.

"This agreement stems from a compliance review the company was required to perform as part of its application for an air quality permit," explained Ecology Industrial Section manager Mike Palko. "The company discovered several air emissions problems at the mill. They came to us with that information and together we got to work on a plan to correct each problem. The consent decree outlines the projects and schedule for bringing the mill into compliance with its emissions limits."

From 1994 through 1996, Ecology cited the Camas mill for 74 air pollution violations at 11 parts of the facility. James River has paid $37,000 in civil penalties, not included in the $82,357 penalty under today's consent decree.

Here is a closer look at the agreement:

Air pollution control measures: Several projects affecting nine major parts of the mill are covered. James River has completed some parts of the work. The company has so far spent or committed $7,170,630. Cost estimates for the remaining projects are not yet available. Final completion is set for 1999. Progress reports are due every six months, starting Sept. 1, 1997. These improvements are technical changes that will better enable the mill to consistently meet existing emissions limits. Examples:
- Elimination of sulfur dioxide emissions.
  Problem: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) was used to neutralize emissions from the chlorine bleaching plant, but the system would go out of balance, resulting in emissions of SO2 or excessive chlorine.
  Change: Use "white liquor" from the pulping process as the scrubbing agent to prevent chlorine emissions, a process that is easier to control.
- Improved back-up for TRS removal.
  Problem: TRS (total reduced sulfur) compounds produce much of the rotten egg odor associated with the Kraft pulping process. TRS gases are eliminated by burning them in the mill's lime kiln, which periodically is shut down for maintenance. TRS was shifted to a boiler that wasn't hot enough, allowing odorous gases to escape.
  Change: Use a different boiler elsewhere at the mill that is hot enough to destroy the TRS gases.

Local emergency communications: James River will provide $114,100 in emergency radio gear to the City of Camas ($82,300) and its own emergency response team ($23,700). The equipment will enable the city and the mill to respond more quickly to emergency events at the mill, including accidental releases to the air. A faster response can translate into shorter release periods, reducing health and environmental effects.
Penalty: James River will pay the state a penalty of $82,357 for emission control violations.

"This agreement enables James River to correct the causes of the 74 air quality violations," said Palko. "The company is making a substantial investment in its emission control program."