The coal burning trials at Port Mellon's Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP) have officially been snuffed out after the Ministry of Environment's amended burning permit unequivocally banned the use of coal at the plant. The permit, issued on Dec. 21, 2007 by Ministry of Environment (MOE) acting manager of environmental protection for the Lower Mainland Steffanie Warriner, applies specifically to the mill's power boiler.
"The decision was based entirely on scientific evaluation," said Warriner, who adjudicated the permit after hearing from about 50 respondents during the public consultation process.
"We looked at the history of emissions from the mill, and the changes we made were to make the limits more reflective of what the mill usually discharges."
Disqualifying coal wasn't the only change made to the burning permit. The particulate discharge limit was lowered from 230 to 160 milligrams per cubic metre, while the sulphur dioxide (S02) discharge limit will now have an hourly maximum of 425 milligrams per cubic metre to, "limit the instances of an acute spike that can have respiratory impacts on sensitive individuals," said Warriner.
The new permit also imposes a limit on nitrogen oxides (NOx). The permit still allows wood residue, natural gas, effluent treatment sludge, and a limited amount of fuel oil to be burned. It also encourages combustion of incidental dilute and concentrated non-condensible gases (DCNGs and CNCGs), the gases partly responsible for the typical smell of a pulp mill.
HSPP ran the coal burning trials, which date back to February 2007, to test the viability of coal in burning wet wood more efficiently.It showed steam production increases of about 30 per cent, along with increased sulphur dioxide emissions and decreased dioxin and ash emissions. The trials were fiercely opposed by members of the Howe Sound Community Forum, which includes mayors and directors from villages, towns, and districts across Howe Sound. Al Strang, HSPP's manager of environment and external relations, said the permit amendment "means we're back to where we were before."
"We're disappointed," he said, adding HSPP is appealing the permit, and has asked the ministry for a stay.
Though using coal would've meant an increase in the mill's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Strang pointed out the pulp mill has achieved a 54 per cent reduction in GHG emissions since 1990, while increasing production. However, greenhouse gas emission weren't a criteria considered in the amended permit.
"The [provincial] policy on that is still in the works," said Warriner. "Climate change is important, but it wasn't the basis of this decision."
Gibsons councillor Gerry Tretick said he was concerned about the lack of discussion around the economics of the mill. "All discussion was around the emissions aspect I accept that they said [the original permit] had a loophole, but it raises questions as to the economic viability of the mill."
Warriner said the original permit, issued in 1978, didn't specifically prohibit HSPP from using coal. She stressed the revised permit should not mean a change to HSPP's current operations. "The whole Sea to Sky airshed could be affected by the mill," Warriner said."The main intent of the amendment was to ensure the permit was worded to reflect its original intent."
While the new amendment is permanent, she said the decision won't preclude the mill from applying in the future for an amendment to include coal. If they do, a technical assessment and evaluation and a public consultation will all be necessary, Warriner said.
The MOE and HSPP are now preparing submissions to be considered on the appeal, which is unlikely to invovle public consultation.
