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By Dena Martin
The Times 

Columbia Pulp sets stage for pollution reduction practices

Pomeroy test plant drives DOE fee schedule changes and increased incentives

 

March 14, 2019

Times File Photo

The Columbia Pulp plant at Lyons Ferry uses waste straw, thus reducing emissions from burning and erosion concerns. The Pomeroy test plant played a big role in the Dept. of Ecology's consideration of fee reductions for research and development of processes that reduce pollution.

Pomeroy test plant drives DOE fee schedule changes and increased incentives

OLYMPIA – In an effort to encourage innovative approaches to pollution reduction, the Washington Department of Ecology is proposing to offer facilities a three-year, 75-percent reduction in permit fees for engaging in market research and development of products or processes that reduce pollution.

The proposal, as presented in a DOE media release, used the Columbia Pulp straw pulp mill as an example of a facility that could possibly qualify for reduced permit fees based on pollution production practices.

DOE Permit Unit Supervisor Art Jenkins, of Spokane, said internal discussions began when the Columbia Pulp test facility in Pomeroy was faced with charges of about $200,000 for discharging to a wastewater treatment plant.

"That seemed outrageous. Those fees are meant for much larger facilities like Wallula and Boise Cascade. They are meant to cover our costs to do inspections and for regulation," Jenkins told The Times.

"They were able to get costs lowered through an appeal process for at least a year or so, but there wasn't a mechanism in place to allow for innovation as they performed research and development. We talked internally and came up with a solution to encourage innovation," he added.

Columbia Pulp Environmental Manager Steve Martin, of Dayton, pointed to a short video on the Columbia Pulp website, to learn more about the mill's pollution reduction efforts.

Historically, area farmers have had to burn or cultivate the dense straw left standing after wheat harvest. Burning wheat straw results in significant environmental emissions and cultivation brings environmental concerns with erosion from excessive tillage.

Columbia Pulp solves both problems by taking straw from growers to reduce environmental impact while creating a revenue stream. The plant, which is set to open in April, uses farmers' waste straw to create market grade pulp used in making paper products. A bio-polymer biproduct, used for a variety of industrial uses, is also produced.

"Our state is filled with innovators and we want to encourage a holistic environmental approach to operations. This would allow us to financially incentivize our permittees to take action beyond water quality. The environmental benefits could be related to improving our land, air or water," said Water Quality Program Manager Heather Bartlett in the DOE release.

"We believe we are transforming the industry as the first tree-free pulp mill in North America," said Columbia Pulp CFO Michele McCarty, in the company's Columbia Pulp Story video.

 

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