TICONDEROGA, N.Y. (Nov. 30, 2005) — Tonight will be the final hearing on whether to allow International Paper Co. to conduct a trial burn of tire-derived fuel (TDF) at its Ticonderoga plant.
The New York Department of Environmental Protection has given International Paper draft permit for the burn, and is using public comment to help determine whether the company should receive a final permit.
Protesters from neighboring Vermont, led by Gov. Jim Douglas, claim TDF will add tons of toxic pollutants to the air. They want International Paper to spend $10-15 million to install an electrostatic precipitator at the plant to cut TDF emissions.
The company, however, says a precipitator isn't necessarily the best or most appropriate pollution control technology for the project. It also claims that using TDF will conserve 5 million gallons of oil annually.