Residents voice concern about emissions from Simpson Lumber's sawmill in Shelton, Washington, call for Air Operating Permit to be reduced from five years to one

Wendy Lisney

LOS ANGELES , September 29, 2011 (Forestweb) – Residents living near Simpson Lumber Co.'s sawmill in Shelton, Washington, have voiced their concerns about the renewal of an Air Operating Permit (AOP).

The Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) held a public hearing about the proposed renewal on Tuesday, the Mason County Daily News reported.

The ORCAA told residents that the AOP ensures compliance with all applicable air pollution limitations and consolidates the requirements under one document.

Mark Goodin, a spokesman for the agency, said the AOP only applies to the mill's existing boiler facility and not new construction.

A number of residents said they were concerned about the detrimental health effects of emissions from Simpson’s boiler. They called for stronger monitoring, and suggested that the permit should be granted for one year rather than five. Another suggestion was made that the agency should collect data on air emissions, rather than entrust that duty to the company.

Simpson’s Dave McEntee assured the meeting that the company is committed to continuing to comply with all regulations.

The executive director of ORCAA, Fran McNair, will make a ruling on whether to approve the renewal. That decision will then be forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency for final approval.

The primary source of this article is the Mason County Daily News, Shelton, Washington, on Sept. 28, 2011.

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