Nova Scotia’s Environment Minister Randy Delorey has issued a Ministerial Order to ensure that Northern Pulp takes measures to reduce air quality emissions that exceed approved limits under the Environment Act. The mill, however, has had…
Nova Scotia’s Environment Minister Randy Delorey has issued a Ministerial Order to ensure that Northern Pulp takes measures to reduce air quality emissions that exceed approved limits under the Environment Act. The mill, however, has had well-publicized plans in place since April to replace its electrostatic precipitator, which should address the emissions problem.
The NBSK pulp mill is located near Pictou, N.S., and has been owned by Paper Excellence for about three years. Local residents have been vocal in their concern of emissions from the mill for several months.
“They are voicing their concerns because they want a healthy, safe and prosperous Pictou County. We all want the same things,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “This order makes it clear to Northern Pulp what this government expects of the company so we can clean up the air for residents and the industry can continue to prosper.”
The order says Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation is in violation of a term and condition of its approval, by exceeding air quality stack emissions from a recovery boiler. The compliance order specifies that Northern Pulp takes measures to come into compliance before May 30, 2015.
“This ministerial order outlines several actions that I expect the company to complete between now and next spring,” said Delorey.
The order states the company has contravened the Environment Act and requires Northern Pulp to:
– ensure an electrostatic precipitator is built, installed and commissioned on the recovery boiler by May 30, 2015, to bring the mill’s air emissions into compliance;
– submit a schedule for installing the new precipitator and provide weekly progress reports in writing;
– itemize actions to be taken during the September 2014 shutdown, and reporting on work done and recommendations made;
– do a second set of stack tests on or before Oct. 31, and have results sent to the Department of Environment within 30 days of completing the tests.
A local paper reported in June that Clyde Bergemann Power Group Americas of New Jersey was awarded the turnkey contract for design, fabrication and installation of a new precipitator for the Northern Pulp mill.
“The existing precipitator has reached its limit for dust removal and this new precipitator is being built to replace it,” said a Northern Pulp news release, quoted by the Chronicle Herald newspaper. “The new precipitator will lead to a vast reduction of dust in air emissions and enhance environmental performance significantly.”
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