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State to study IP impact
Mill included in pollution probe
Published Saturday, June 27, 2009
Photo by Charlie Passut
FRANKLIN—International Paper Co.’s Franklin mill is one of about 300 plants across Virginia to be “grandfathered,” and therefore not required to meet pollution-easing standards set forth by the Federal Clean Air Act in 1970.
However, that’s about to change.
Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality will study and determine whether older facilities, like IP, comply with National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
David K. Paylor, director of the DEQ, said that Virginia is the first state to initiate a “comprehensive, long-term program for evaluating the local air quality impact of grandfathered air emissions.”
Many older plants could be emitting pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles.
“The study’s really just focused on finding out their emissions,” said Krystal Coxon, who works with the DEQ.
Desmond Stills, communications manager for the Franklin mill said that the company has invested millions of dollars on air emissions control equipment over the last decade and has even participated in voluntary projects to reduce emissions below permitted levels.
“The mill regularly monitors and reports its emissions and continually reviews its operations with respect to minimizing its environmental impact,” Stills wrote in an e-mail.
Stills noted that the Franklin mill has been recognized by both federal and state agencies for “environmental performance and compliance” and even received the Virginia Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award in 2006 and 2007.
The mandatory study of Virginia’s older plants will begin this year and will continue over the next five years. The DEQ will prioritize the studies by considering the amount of pollutants from each plant, the number of people potentially affected by air quality near each plant, the cost to companies, and the existence of any other studies.
There is no word when the DEQ will study IP’s pollution emissions.
Coxon said the studies could have a financial impact on companies because they are required to work with the DEQ in providing modeling and meteorological data.
“The costs are going to vary,” she said. Some companies already keep pollution-measuring data, which could mitigate their costs. Companies that operate multiple facilities or don’t already keep pollution data would likely experience a bigger financial blow.
According to Stills, IP has not been asked to help pay for modeling.
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Comments
Posted by happy2 (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank goodness, the town of Franklin needs to know if this is a hazard. I know I have a cough that is not bad but bothers me when the air stinks. I do not have allergies and have wondered since moving here years ago if that is the problem. IP is old and it NEVER should have been " granfathered" It is time that they comply and all others to comply. I have seen workers that not only look haggard but very ill for their age. And NO I do not work there and was not laid off nor has any member of my family. I am just a concerned citizen.
Posted by WorkingGirl (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have worked at "THE MILL" for 20 years now. The reason we all look so haggard is the shift work. The particular shift rotation we work there (at the main mill) has been proven to be the worst in the business world on the human body!
The smell you are smelling, I believe it comes from the retention ponds and that is why it smells worst driving towards Holland on route 58, which is right through the pond areas. It stinks just like the dismal swamp stinks.
I think we should be evaluated, but I think you will find the Franklin Mill is well within the requirements of the standards. That is why we have won awards in the past for our mill!
You moved here, just like Oceana, UNION CAMP was here first. Don't like it?......you know that answer.....MOVE!!!!!
Posted by justthinking (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not disputing the need for or the testing of...but, how convenient it seems to do this testing now.
Posted by callingdove (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shift work is demanding. Haggard or ill? It is a fair remark and it is good that an explanation was offered. This sounds like something for the workers to be asking their doctors and for the Mill to consider.
And by the way, while the Dismal Swamp does have some oders, nothing stinks like those holding ponds.
However, "Grandfathered" is no excuse since there are hazards from long ago that we only know about today. Testing sounds like a good step. Are there other worries?
YES!!!
Clean air is one worry, but what about clean water? The Mill also uses lots of water and then 'holds' it before sending it back into the river. I often wonder why the Mill couldn't "recycle" instead of putting down more deep wells for more fresh water? This would be the greatest project the Mill could do and would keep up its award winning contributions to the area.
Franklin City used to take its garbage to an area just off the river and cover it up, literally cover it up. Today, is it leaching into the river? Have to wonder.
Seems if more than 2 of us are gathered, we manage to pollute. We have more than just the Mill to blame and examine. It is complex.
Posted by snr (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think IP will fulfill its obligation to clean up whatever the state deems necessary to shut the plant down and say good bye to Isle of Wight and the City of Franklin.
Posted by buddy1 (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you democrats it won't be long now, no one will have a place to work in the U.S. and we won't be able to afford to purchase anything made in the U.S.
We'll just keep brining in the substandard materials from overseas.
Posted by spider68 (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
buddy1--The Republicans ran this country into the ground for eight years. The Democrats have been in the White House for six months, and you neocons blame everything on the Dems. This would be funny if it wasn't so ridiculous.
Posted by franklinnative62 (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's the big news about the testing? The mill and river get tested all the time. That's why the Franklin Mill constantly is recognized for it's enviromental safety. And I agree with WorkingGirl. If you don't like it. Leave!!
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