|
"Once this is installed, the mill will run more efficiently and is necessary so it can meet new federal pollution requirements," said Garin Schrieve, Ecology's section manager.
The approval was expected, according to company President Roger Hagan.
Read moreThe mill received the permit Monday for the refiners, which mill officials say will strengthen paper pulp more cheaply than chemical alternatives.
"Whatever merits the project may have, the mill states that it will increase air pollution by about 3 percent," said Gretchen Brewer, director of PT AirWatchers, which opposed the permit.
Read morePORT TOWNSEND, WA, July 15, 2014 (Press Release) -
For Port Townsend Paper Corporation, June has been a fantastic month. The mill reported combined production for both paper machines at 29,825 tons, breaking the previous record set almost a decade ago. Each of the two paper machines also set marks for average daily output, all without any OSHA recordable injuries or reportable environmental incidents, making June an all-around win for PTPC.
Read more"We were able to sit down with all three parties and resolve all the issues," said Kevin Scott, the paper company's director of sustainability.
"There wasn't one single issue, but there were lots of details that needed to be worked out."
Read moreAbout 60 people attended a public hearing this week at Fort Worden State Park, with 17 testifying.
Several said current issues with the mill should be resolved before any new components are added.
Read moreThe move was fueled by the number of requests for a public hearing made in public comments on the proposed $2 million project.
"We had quite a few people ask for a hearing in the comments," Ecology spokeswoman Linda Kent said Wednesday.
Read moreCompany President Roger Hagan told the Peninsula Daily News on Wednesday that the company's construction permit will not be extended beyond the 18-month June deadline for the improvements.
"It's not a financially viable project," said Hagan, who took over at the mill last May, succeeding Roger Loney.
Read moreThe renewal was issued after a public comment period from April 24 to June 21 as well as a public hearing held June 4.
"Given the community's interest in the mill, we took some extra steps to get the public's input on this permit," said Ecology spokeswoman Linda Kent.
Read more