Ecology to amend Port Townsend Paper's air permit in 2008

Washington State Department of Ecology

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Department of Ecology News Release - December 20, 2007

07-374

Ecology to amend Port Townsend Paper's air permit in 2008

OLYMPIA - Based on feedback from a recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) technical review, the Washington Department of Ecology will amend the air operating permit it issued to Port Townsend Paper in January 2007.

"We strive to issue permits that implement and uphold the law and are willing to make amendments if further evaluation shows areas that need improvement," said Carol Kraege, manager for Ecology's Industrial Section which oversees pulp and paper mill regulations.

The three changes stem from an EPA review of the permit earlier this fall. Based on the EPA's comments, the permit will be amended:

The EPA disagreed with Ecology's interpretation of when federal Compliance Assurance Monitoring requirements apply to five emission units. Ecology accepts the EPA's interpretation. The Port Townsend Paper permit will be changed to address EPA concerns.
Port Townsend Paper will be required to sample and test the recycled fuel it purchases from Conoco Phillips prior to burning it. Right now, the mill relies upon Conoco Phillips' own tests that the fuel meets a certain standard.
Wording will be changed to affirm Port Townsend Paper's compliance with federal Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards for treating hazardous air pollutants from the digesters and evaporators. Ecology issued an extension to allow the mill to complete an experimental project that was underway on those systems prior to requiring the company to collect "baseline" data for meeting MACT standards. Ultimately, the mill did not need the full extension and has actually been in compliance with the MACT standard since the permit was issued.

Ecology's Industrial Section issues air operating permits to all seven of the chemical pulp and paper mills currently operating in Washington, including Port Townsend Paper. These permits combine applicable federal and state requirements for controlling and monitoring air emissions.

EPA's suggested changes will be made after the Pollution Control Hearings Board decides a citizen appeal of the same permit. That appeal hearing is scheduled for February 2008.

Kraege explained, "It makes sense for us to wait to amend the permit until the hearings board has heard the appeal and we have a decision that we can respond to in the amendment process. Otherwise, we might have to amend the permit twice."

A citizen complaint about the permit prompted the EPA's review several months after the regular public and government review process closed. Generally, federal agencies that delegate permit authorities to the state negotiate changes during a draft permit's public review period.

Focus sheet on Air Operating Permits: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0707050.html

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Media Contact: Kim Schmanke, 360-407-6239; kisc461@ecy.wa.gov

For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/industrial/pulp_porttown.html