Comment on IP seeks expedited air pollution permit

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division will hold a two-part forum on Tuesday at International Paper to answer questions and receive formal comments regarding a modification to the company’s air quality permit. IP wants to modify its power boiler to comply with upcoming rules that will limit its emissions of hydrogen chloride and sulfur dioxide. The changes, which involve using tree bark and natural gas instead of coal, are expected to reduce emissions of hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide and mercury but to increase emissions of carbon monoxide, said Donna Katula, IP’s environmental performance manager. The predicted annual increase of carbon monoxide from 186 tons to 1,742 tons, based on what Katula said are conservative assumptions, triggered the need for a regulatory review.