AQ_GEN_PIO_20241220_MISC_PressRls

Dec. 20, 2024
State Accepting Public Comments on Modified Air Quality Permit for
International Paper – Riegelwood Mill
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air
Quality (DAQ) is now accepting public comments on a draft Title V air quality permit
modification for International Paper – Riegelwood Mill in Columbus County. The
modification is expected to significantly reduce emissions of air pollution, particularly
volatile organic compounds and sulfur dioxide.
Public comments will be accepted until Feb. 3.
International Paper operates a pulp and paper mill at the Riegelwood site that currently
holds a major-source Title V air quality permit that is subject to the Prevention of
Significant Deterioration permitting program.
In 2023, the Riegelwood Mill reduced production at the site and shut down one of its two
pulp dryers and associated equipment. The facility has applied for a modification to its
air quality permit that would allow for a reconfiguration at the mill that would allow the
remaining pulp dryer to accommodate 1,400 tons of finished pulp a day.
Additionally, International Paper proposes reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned in
its boiler, using additional biomass as a fuel in its place. While this would increase
emissions of carbon monoxide from this unit, the proposed project is expected to reduce
facility-wide emissions of most pollutants, including carbon monoxide.
DAQ reviewed an analysis of the facility’s carbon monoxide emissions that
demonstrated the revisions are not expected to cause an exceedance of federal air
quality standards. DAQ also reviewed air toxics dispersion modeling which
demonstrated that no toxic air pollutant from the mill is expected to cause an
exceedance of health-based limits.
The draft permit includes conditions that ensure ambient levels of all pollutants emitted
by the facility beyond the facility’s fence line comply with emission standards, including
applicable health-based standards. The facility would also be subject to recordkeeping
and reporting requirements and regular inspections.
Copies of the public notice, draft permit, draft permit review, permit application, draft
environmental justice report, and a one-page project fact sheet are available online.
Comments or requests for a public hearing will be accepted until Feb. 3, 2025.
Comments can be emailed to [e-mail] with “IP
Riegelwood.24B” in the subject line or left via voicemail by calling 919-707-8714.
Comments can also be mailed to:
NCDEQ Division of Air Quality
1641 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1641
The Division will consider all public comments before making a final decision on the
proposed permit.
If you need this information in Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, or another language, call
919-707-8446 or email [e-mail].
Si necesita esta información en español por favor llame al 919-707-8446 o mande un
correo a [e-mail].
Nếu quý vị cần thông tin này bằng Tiếng Việt, hãy gọi 919-707-8446 hoặc gửi email tới
[e-mail].
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon sa wikang Tagalog, tumawag sa numerong 919-
707-8446 o magpadala ng elektronikong liham sa [e-mail].

For More Information
Contact: Shawn Taylor
Phone: [phone]