IP Test Burn Stopped - 11/14/2006

From the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's website-
11/14/2006 - International Paper announced this afternoon that they have stopped the test burn. This is not a suspension of the burning of TDF, but a cancellation of the remainder of the test burn itself. Refined preliminary results from the one-quarter ton per hour tests conducted yesterday indicated no improvement over the one-half ton per hour results. The two runs gave .09 and .08 lbs/mmbtu results, essentially the same as the previous runs. This was the second reduction in feed rates following the one ton per hour tests conducted on November 9th. Emissions this close to the permit limit of 0.1 lbs/mmbtu at a feed rate one-twelfth of the proposed rate apparently convinced International Paper that further testing would not be useful. It is DEC's understanding that IP has no plans to seek a new test at this time, however we are still awaiting an official statement from the company.

International Paper conducted a test burn at their Ticonderoga, New York site. The Vermont Department of Environmental Concervation (DEC) posted the data from that test burn on its website as the information became available. (November 2006)

For lots more information on this issue visit the People For Less Pollution website.

return to top

Lafarge in Ravena, NY - just west of the Berkshires - to burn tires as fuel

Is burning tires more environmentally friendly, given the equipment Lafarge will be using, than burning its previous fuels? Will any air quality monitoring take place outside of what Lafarge is required to do? For the latest information visit the Friends of Hudson website.

April 27, 2006 - The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) issued its formal Record of Decision that the proposal by Lafarge meets all applicable regulatory standards which are protective of human health and the environment.

April 24, 2006 - The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) issued its Notice of Decision to issue a Title V Air Permit, Solid Waste Permit, and Solid Waste Beneficial Use Determination for Lafarge to burn Tire Derived Fuel in its cement plant in the Town of Coeymans next to Ravena, NY.

end of 2005 NYDEC RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY
to Lafarge Building Materials, Inc.'s
Application to use Tire Derived Fuel (TDF)

NYDEC stated that:

Lafarge will be required to submit an analysis of the potential actions that could be taken to reduce mercury emissions from the Ravena Plant as part of their Title V renewal process in April 2006. The Department has deferred this requirement because the data demonstrate the average and range of mercury contained in tires is less than bituminous coal that is currently being used. Although the analysis predicted possible mercury emission increases (worst-case =100 pounds, mean case = 20 pounds) it is also possible mercury emissions may decrease. The Department will make a final decision on the percent removal and permit conditions that will be required for mercury based on the Department's review of this analysis and the results from the stack test using the TDF fuel supplement.

The EPA published a proposal on December 2, 2005 for public comment which address the issues raised in the remand of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) from the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry. Specifically, the EPA will establish emission limits for carbon monoxide and total hydrocarbons (THCs) for new and existing kilns. The Department will incorporate the final emission limits for THC (20 ppmv) and CO (100 ppmv) in Lafarge's Title V permit as permit conditions when the EPA finalizes the amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) from the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry. These emission limits will insure that the kiln operates under good combustion conditions and will minimize the formation of organic hazardous air pollutants. In addition, Lafarge has proposed to limit the CO emissions associated with the TDF project. The draft permit contains a net emissions increase limit of 99 ton per year.

August 23, 2005 article on the plan to burn tires in Ravena, NY (IndeNews.com)

return to top

Vermont Files Suit Against IP and NYDEC in New York Supreme Court! 2/9/2006

The lawsuit, which names International Paper (IP) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, argues the test being contemplated by the paper company should not go forward without a full environmental review. "International Paper's long-term plan to burn tires as fuel will result in substantially more air pollution blowing across Lake Champlain into Vermont," Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell said in a news release. "IP and NYDEC owe it to the citizens of Vermont and New York to fully review all environmental impacts resulting from IP's long-term plan."The lawsuit was filed Tuesday (2/8/06) in New York Supreme Court in Albany County, said Vermont Assistant Attorney General Erick Titrud.

In its lawsuit, Vermont argues that IP and the New York DEC are considering the test separately from its long-term plan to burn tire chips. Such an approach violates the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, the state of Vermont argues. Vermont argues the exemption to the law cited by the DEC applies only to collection of data on existing environmental conditions; it does not exempt from environmental review new activities..
Burlington Free Press, Feb. 9, 2006

For lots more information and the latest news on this issue visit People for Less Pollution's website.

return to top