Concerns are being aired over changes to Lavington’s pellet plant operation.
Pinnacle Renewable Energy has applied for alterations to its air discharge permit from the Ministry of Environment.
The changes stem from a fire at the plant in August 2016, and aim to reduce the fire risk. But while doing so, it increases the the particulate discharge from 2.6 kg/hr to 4.6 kg/hr.
While Pinnacle points out that these numbers are still within the allowed maximum of 10.314, the District of Coldstream has some concerns.
“They want to reduce the fire risk and by doing that they add more pollution,” said Coun. Richard Enns.
Coldstream would like to see the risk reduced without increasing the loading.
“Is there another solution to it?” asks Mayor Jim Garlick.
Therefore the district has issued a letter to Pinnacle and the Ministry of Environment regarding its concerns and requests that the maximum loading build-up of 2.865 g/s in the existing permit be retained and that monitoring be extended for at least a year following the retrofit. Coldstream also requests that the Ministry examines and implements air quality monitoring methodology that would provide additional data to determine the background sources of pollutants in the vicinity of the pellet plant.
“The District of Coldstream respectfully requests that the concerns identified above are taken under consideration when reviewing the application put forth by Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc.,” states Garlick in the letter.