Domtar Seeks Permit to Double Woodyard Throughput and Increase Emissions in Martin County

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is accepting public comments on a draft Title V air quality permit for Domtar Paper in Martin County, the agency announced.

The paper mill applied to modify its existing air quality permit, requesting permission to increase the throughput limit of green logs processed in its woodyard from 2.2 million tons per 12 months to 4.4 million tons. Domtar would not make any physical modification at the mill or increase pulp production.

The modification would increase emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to levels that trigger the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting program.

As a result, Domtar will be required to implement the best available control technology in its woodyard, including complying with good operation and maintenance practices. Air dispersion modeling reviewed by DAQ found that the increase in VOC emissions is not expected to cause an exceedance of federal health-based air quality standards.

The draft permit includes conditions that ensure ambient levels of all pollutants emitted by the facility comply with emission standards, including applicable health-based standards, beyond the facility’s fence line. The facility would also be subject to recordkeeping and reporting requirements and regular inspections.

DAQ will consider all public comments before making a final decision on the proposed permit. Comments or requests for a public hearing will be accepted until Nov. 25.