The air pollutants that would issue from Progress Energy’s proposed Woodfin power plant are miniscule in comparison with what Canton’s Blue Ridge Paper Products mill belches out on a daily basis. The mill’s Title V air permit is up for review next week. This chance for members of the public to speak their mind directly to state officials responsible for regulating pollution from the plant comes around only once every five years.
According to information from the Toxic Release Inventory, the paper mill released about 3 million pounds of toxic and hazardous chemicals into the air in 2005, including more than 9,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, a respiratory irritant.
The state Division of Air Quality will hold a public hearing about the facility’s Title V air permit on Tuesday, April 3, at 6 p.m. at the Colonial Theater (53 Park St.) in Canton. Clean Water for North Carolina will hold an informational gathering to help citizens prepare their comments on Monday, April 2, at 7 p.m. Contact CWFNC at 251-1291 for directions.
— Rebecca Bowe, editorial assistant
