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Department of Ecology Press Release - November 15, 2005
05-277
OLYMPIA - The Longview Fibre Company, a paper manufacturer, has been fined $16,000 by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) for exceeding air-pollution limits four times earlier this year.
Emissions from the plant contained higher-than-permitted levels of particulate matter (tiny airborne particles), carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The violations occurred between April 27 and June 7.
Three of the violations stemmed from short-term operational problems and the amounts of air pollution emitted were minor, just above limits set in the company's air operating permit. In a fourth violation, excess emissions continued for an extended time period due to an operational oversight.
Longview Fibre is required to test its air emissions and report the results to Ecology as a requirement of its air operating permit. The air pollution limits in the permit are set by the state to protect air quality.
"These air emission violations at Longview Fibre must be resolved quickly," said Merley McCall, a manager in Ecology's industrial section.
Longview Fibre Company's director of public affairs Curt Copenhagen said, "It is a goal of Longview Fibre Company to be in compliance 100 percent of the time for all environmental requirements. We continually strive to achieve that goal, and to reduce our emissions."
The company has 30 days to apply for relief from the penalty or appeal it to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board.
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Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, 360-407-6239; cell: 360-791-9830
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
