Pacific BioEnergy Files Plan to Reduce Emissions

Friday, September 25, 2009 11:18 AM

Prince George, B.C.- There is good news for the Prince George Airshed.

Pacific BioEnergy Corporation has submitted a plan to the Ministry of the Environment to significantly reduce emissions at its Prince George wood pellet plant.

The reductions will come as a result of the installation of a high performance Wet Electro-Static Precipitator (WESP) air cleaning system says PBEC Vice President Brad Bennett “We have set a target of reducing emissions by one-third or better.” Bennett says the focus is on reducing emissions of PM 2.5, the fine particulate that can cause the most severe respiratory problems.

PBEC’s current air emissions permit allows up to 188 tonnes of particulate to be emitted each year. The permit issued in 2007, also states that PBEC is to submit a plan to reduce its particulate emissions prior to December 2010. PBEC’s new emissions reduction plan also calls for production of wood pellets at the PG Plant to double using mostly pine beetle killed (PBK) fibre. That change in fibre source will mean a change in plant equipment so it can handle logs from debris piles as well as the sawdust from sawmills. “We are confident the changes will make it easier for the plant to handle both sources of fibre” says Bennett.

The increased production also means an expansion of the plant, creating about 50 jobs, some at the plant, some indirect in the areas of logging and trucking.

PBEC’s emissions reduction plan will be reviewed by the Ministry of Environment and include an opportunity for public review and comment. Bennett is hopeful that if all approvals are given, the new system could be up and running by this time next year.

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Posted on Friday, September 25, 2009 11:18 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: He spoke on September 25 2009 2:41 PM

significantly reduce, but whats the new numbers being targeted. 160 ton, 120 ton, 80 tons, 60 ton.

Significant can mean different things for different people.

Posted by: gus on September 25 2009 2:51 PM

This is the PBEC answer to that question.

“We have set a target of reducing emissions by one-third or better.”

This could be spin.

Is this a reduction in emission rate or is it a reduction in total emission.

An emission rate could be as a rate in tonnes of material being processed or some similar measure. In that case, a third reduction actually means an increase in total emissions if their plan is to double production.

They played around with words the last time. Are they still doing that?

Posted by: Wileycoyote on September 25 2009 10:15 PM

Can you not read the whole article??? They are currently ALLOWED 188 tonnes. They plan to reduce that by 1/3rd yet double production.

Posted by: supertech on September 25 2009 10:50 PM

In the winter, when the wind is generally from the North, Pacific Bio has little effect on us. In the summer it's quite different, as the winds on the Fraser are generally from the South. Lets hope its substantial.