Vt. opposes IP tire-burning proposal

ALBANY, N.Y. – Despite strong opposition in neighboring Vermont, New York state has applied for a federal permit to allow International Paper Co. to burn used tires as fuel during a two-week air pollution test.

The company sent a draft of a permit to the federal Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday. The EPA is expected to act in about 45 days. If approved, International Paper would be allowed to burn tires for two weeks while readings were taken on the stack emissions.

Preliminary data show pollution might be lower than allowed limits, except for nickel and some other chemicals, said Maureen Wren of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Nickel is a heavy metal and a health concern.

Wren said the data will be evaluated for any impact on the upstate Ticonderoga area, the lake, and for the Vermont communities on the east side of Lake Champlain.

The emissions will be monitored “second by second” and any time a result “even approaches” the limit, the burning will be shut down, said company spokeswoman Donna Wadsworth.

“We expect to conduct a very safe trial,” she said. “The process has been long and rigorous … but is moving forward with a lot of input and concern and care from all the stakeholders.”

But a lawsuit filed against the Pataki administration by Vermonters sought a full environmental review of the plan before the plant is allowed to burn tires, even for just two weeks. Wren said the state’s policy is not to comment on issues involved in lawsuits.

The plant now burns fuel oil, bark, sawdust and wood residue for fuel.

The company wants to burn tire chips as a supplement to save up to 5 million gallons of fuel oil a year.

Vermont Gov. James Douglas and other Vermonters said the test alone would deposit dangerous chemicals in Vermont. The Douglas administration wants the company to install a device that would scrub the dangerous emissions from the smoke.

“Those who live downwind of the IP plant should not be treated as guinea pigs in this experiment,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords, a Vermont independent, when told of the permit application. “If IP wants to burn tires, the solution is simple: It should upgrade its outdated plant with the proper equipment to ensure that its tire burning will be safe. IP has installed these controls at its other plants, so why not here?”

The plant says it needs the test burn to determine what type of equipment is necessary.