SAN FRANCISCO, California, October 2, 2007 (ENS) - The largest unbleached kraft pulp mill in North America - Evergreen Pulp, Inc. - will spend $5 million to settle state and federal charges of air pollution from its wood pulp mill in Eureka, California. The mill spewed forth particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants that were 230 percent above the federal emission standard, the government alleges.

Under the settlement, Evergreen will pay a combined penalty totaling $900,000 to be shared equally among three regulatory agencies - the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, and the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District.

The company also spent approximately $4 million to install a pollution control device on its lime kiln that uses electric charges to capture and collect tiny particles of air pollution. Recent source tests show that the device is reducing harmful particulate emissions.

In addition to exceeding the air pollution limits, Evergreen Pulp allegedly violated monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.

"Emissions from pulp mills can have a significant impact on air quality in the immediate area around these facilities," said Deborah Jordan, director of the EPA's Air Division for the Pacific Southwest region. "Today's settlement reduces harmful air emissions by nearly 340 tons each year, providing a clear environmental benefit for the surrounding community."

The company also allegedly violated state air pollution control laws for nuisance, opacity, and air pollution control equipment maintenance requirements.

"The people of Eureka and surrounding communities along Humboldt Bay will breathe easier thanks to this team effort by local, state and federal regulators," said California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols.

"The hard work of all parties to reach a settlement in this case is significant to both air quality conditions and our economy. In particular, I am appreciative of Evergreen's willingness to work toward much needed improvements and to our local Air District staff who have diligently pursued the necessary resolution to this matter," said John Woolley, North Coast Air District Board member.

Particulate matter harms humans when it is inhaled and particles are deposited in the nose, throat, and lungs. Health effects from chronic exposure to high levels of particulate matter range from nasal irritation to bronchitis to emphysema.

Young children and the elderly are the most susceptible to the adverse effects of particulate matter exposure because of their relatively limited ability to eliminate particulate matter once it is deposited in the body.

Pulp mills also emit toxic metals including, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, nickel, and selenium. Health effects associated with exposure to these toxics metals can include cancer, reproductive and developmental effects, gastrointestinal effects, damage to the nervous system, and irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

At the same time, Evergeen Pulp has been selected by the California Energy Commission lead a program to help the state wean itself off fossil fuels.

Evergreen Pulp and Diversified Energy Corp. were selected by the state to run a $500,000, 36 month-long energy project through the Public Interest Energy Research Natural Gas Program, part of the California Energy Commission.

The program is to encourage companies to research, develop and demonstrate technologies to replace natural gas with renewable resources.

The Evergreen mill already produces about 95 percent of its own electricity and most of its overall energy from sawmill waste. But even so, the energy intensive pulp-making process still draws about 300 therms of gas each day through the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. pipeline.

Today, the mill is one of the largest users of natural gas in the county. The proposed project would gasify fine wood residue to create a gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which it would burn in place of natural gas.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.