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Department of Ecology News Release - October 23, 2002
02-198
OLYMPIA - A sawmill and energy co-generation plant in Grays Harbor County has agreed to pay $10,000 in a settlement with the state for violating a state air-quality regulation.
The violation occurred in August when Sierra Pacific Industries in Junction City started constructing its waste-wood-fired boiler without a legally required air permit.
"We've come up with a creative settlement that allows the company a reasonable period to comply within state environmental laws," said Mary Burg, who manages the Department of Ecology's air quality program. "Our main interests in reaching a settlement were to preserve the integrity of the public process and to maintain a level playing field for other businesses locating in Washington state."
"It was our desire to get the entire project in operation, but starting the boiler construction as we did was not the proper thing to do," said Ed Bond, spokesman for Sierra Pacific Industries. "We appreciate the state's efforts in helping us to proceed and bring jobs to Grays Harbor County."
Burg said the company's air permit was still in the public comment period when a citizen alerted Ecology that construction had begun on the energy plant. A follow-up inspection confirmed the tip.
Under terms of the settlement, Sierra Pacific Industries must certify daily that no construction is occurring on the boiler until the company has a valid air permit. The terms of the settlement take effect Oct. 25. The money goes into an account dedicated to air quality.
The settlement follows a notice of violation issued to Sierra Pacific Industries by Ecology one month ago.
Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, 360-407-6239.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
