|
Salty Hog as Fuel (Canada Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans) |
|
|
|
Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) for Dioxins and Furans
Implementation Plan for New Brunswick
Pulp and Paper Boilers Burning Salt-Laden Wood
General Accountability: In New Brunswick, the implementation of
Canada-Wide Standards for new and existing pulp and paper boilers
burning salt-laden wood will be achieved by incorporating the
Canada-Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans into the conditions of
individual facilities’ Approvals to Operate issued under the Air
Quality Regulation - Clean Air Act.
Milestones and Deliverables: Currently, only one of New Brunswick’s ten
pulp and paper mills burns salt-laden wood. The burning of such
salt-laden wood is the result of an old hogged fuel pile located on the
facility property, which was generated when logs were floated to the
mill many years ago. The facility no longer receives wood in this
manner, nor is any salt-laden wood purchased. Currently, this hogged
fuel is blended in small quantities with other woodwastes with a view
to eliminating the pile. It is anticipated that the pile of salt-laden
wood at this facility will be eliminated by the end of 2004.
It is anticipated that the Approvals to Operate issued under the Air
Quality Regulation for all pulp and paper mills will, upon their
renewal or at least within one year in advance of the CWS compliance
date, include conditions prohibiting the burning of salt-laden wood, as
a means to achieving compliance with the Canada-Wide Standards for
Dioxins and Furans.
Public Role: Under the Clean Air Act, a public participation process
must be conducted for the issuance of Approvals to Operate for all
major facilities (termed “Class 1” facilities). Under these processes,
public feedback is solicited through the provision of information on
the Department’s Web site and also in hard copy. Meetings with
stakeholders may also be arranged as needed to provide a forum for
discussion and obtain feedback on the facility’s proposed conditions of
approval.
Access to Information: All Approvals to Operate issued under the Air
Quality Regulation – Clean Air Act must be maintained in a Public
Register, which is available in all regional offices of the Department.
In addition, information relating to Class 1 facilities is made
available on the Department’s Web site. Facility-specific performance
information may be made available to the general public upon request.
In some cases, larger facilities may be required through the conditions
of their approvals to establish local “advisory” committees with
specified stakeholders including concerned citizens, where relevant
facility information may be obtained.
Verifiable Progress: Given that the burning of salt-laden wood in pulp
and paper boilers will be prohibited in New Brunswick by the time the
Canada-Wide Standards for Dioxins and Furans become effective in 2006,
no stack testing, emissions reporting or other measures are envisioned
at this time. Pulp and paper mills will be closely monitored to ensure
compliance with this prohibition, and enforcement options will be
considered in the unlikely event of non-compliance with these
provisions.
Co-Benefits: By phasing out the burning of salt-laden wood in pulp and
paper boilers, it is expected that beneficial air quality benefits will
be achieved mainly with respect to dioxin and furan emissions. However,
it is possible that increased thermal efficiencies may be achieved as a
result of no longer burning decaying hogged fuel having a high moisture
content, which would likely result in emission reductions of other air
contaminants as well. |
Air Quality Reports