EPA Cites Paper Mills for Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has cited Georgia-Pacific Corp. for alleged clean-air violations at the company's hardboard manufacturing plant in Duluth, Minn.

EPA alleges G-P modified a boiler to burn more wood waste and less natural gas causing an increase in emissions of particulates (smoke, dust, ash) without meeting federal and state notification, testing, monitoring and emission control requirements.

Region 5 of the EPA also announced that it has reached an agreement with Fort James Operating Co. on alleged violations of EPA regulations to protect stratospheric ozone.  The alleged violations occurred at the company’s pulp and paper mill in Green Bay, Wis.  EPA assessed a $14,500 penalty, and Fort James agreed to complete a $43,500 environmental project.

"For its environmental project, Fort James will modify two refrigeration units at its mill so they can use a refrigerant that poses less threat to the stratospheric ozone layer," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur.

The agreement resolves EPA allegations that Fort James operated two refrigeration units that leaked more chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC, refrigerants than is allowed by the Clean Air Act.