Paper Mill Could Be Fined $3,500 a Day If it Violates Pending State Order

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Graphic Packaging International would be forced to pay a $119,243 fine in a proposed order from the state of Michigan, and could face additional fines of $3,500 per violation per day if it doesn’t follow every part of the order related to air permit violations at its Kalamazoo facility, per state documents.

The public is invited to learn more about the proposed changes to GPI’s air permit and people can submit comments for state environmental regulators to consider.

To address violations, Graphic Packaging is requesting changes to an existing air permit for the Kalamazoo paperboard machine, per the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, including:

Adding a continuous emission monitoring system to several boilers

Modifying the oxides of nitrogen emission (NOx) limits to align with the new monitoring system

Removing old equipment and correcting the capacity of fuel burning equipment

EGLE’s Air Quality Division will host an online information session and public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. The session will consider the proposed permit and consent order for GPI’s Kalamazoo facility, 1500 N. Pitcher St.

In September 2022, a violation notice was issued to Graphic Packaging for emission, reporting, and equipment design and stack vent restrictions that were not met under Permit to Install No. 133-19A, EGLE Spokesperson Jill Greenberg told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette previously.

Records showed 37 hours of noncompliance with the limit for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the facility’s air permit. It does not show the concentration of the chemical in the air.

Low levels of nitrogen oxides in the air can irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs, possibly causing a cough and shortness of breath, tiredness and nausea, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry said. Higher levels can cause other health issues.

The company also exceeded emission limits for PM10 and PM2.5, EGLE said.

The current proposed order is to address the violations for emission limits and equipment installation. It includes the $119,243 penalty, plus a compliance plan.

If Graphic Packaging does not follow any part of the compliance plan, the company may be required to pay additional fines of up to $3,500 per violation per day, the order says.

“For potential violations of this type, is it important to incentivize the company to take corrective action as soon as possible, which is why the penalty accrues on a daily basis,” EGLE spokesman Hugh McDiarmid Jr. said.

The amount set for the penalty is typical for these types of violations, McDiarmid said.

Courtesy: www.mlive.com