MONTPELIER, Vt. - The state of Vermont is suing to block an effort by International Paper's Ticonderoga Mill to test the burning of tire chips at the plant as a supplemental fuel source.
The lawsuit, which names 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 issued Wednesday. “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 in New York Supreme Court in Albany County, said Vermont Assistant Attorney General Erick Titrud.
IP wants to use tire chips as a supplemental fuel as a way to save up to 5 million gallons of fuel oil a year and reduce power costs at its mill on the western shore of Lake Champlain.
Many Vermonters, including Gov. James Douglas, object to the plan, saying that even the two-week test being considered would deposit dangerous chemicals into Vermont.
The Douglas administration wants IP to install a device that would scrub the dangerous emissions from the smoke, but the plant says it needs the test burn to determine what type of equipment is necessary.
IP spokeswoman Donna Wadsworth said Wednesday it would still be at least two months before the DEC was in a position to issue a permit for the test.
“The permitting process that we've entered into for the purpose of conducting a two-week trial is extremely rigorous and is designed by the EPA and the New York State DEC to assure that public health and safety are protected,” Wadsworth said. “We at International Paper are absolutely committed to abiding by this process.”
A DEC spokeswoman said the permitting process wasn't finished yet.
“DEC has conducted a long and careful permitting process, which is still ongoing,” said Maureen Wren. “Our feelings are it's unfortunate this litigation is being pursued at this time before New York state's administrative process has concluded.”
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 new activities from environmental review.
AP-ES-02-08-06 1745EST
“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 issued Wednesday. “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 in New York Supreme Court in Albany County, said Vermont Assistant Attorney General Erick Titrud.
IP wants to use tire chips as a supplemental fuel as a way to save up to 5 million gallons of fuel oil a year and reduce power costs at its mill on the western shore of Lake Champlain.
Many Vermonters, including Gov. James Douglas, object to the plan, saying that even the two-week test being considered would deposit dangerous chemicals into Vermont.
The Douglas administration wants IP to install a device that would scrub the dangerous emissions from the smoke, but the plant says it needs the test burn to determine what type of equipment is necessary.
IP spokeswoman Donna Wadsworth said Wednesday it would still be at least two months before the DEC was in a position to issue a permit for the test.
“The permitting process that we've entered into for the purpose of conducting a two-week trial is extremely rigorous and is designed by the EPA and the New York State DEC to assure that public health and safety are protected,” Wadsworth said. “We at International Paper are absolutely committed to abiding by this process.”
A DEC spokeswoman said the permitting process wasn't finished yet.
“DEC has conducted a long and careful permitting process, which is still ongoing,” said Maureen Wren. “Our feelings are it's unfortunate this litigation is being pursued at this time before New York state's administrative process has concluded.”
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 new activities from environmental review.
AP-ES-02-08-06 1745EST
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