International Paper Company Fires Debate

Author: Kelsey Rinehart

"Stop the tire fire!" was the message of the Oct. 15 public forum aimed at preventing the International Paper Co. (IPC) of Ticonderoga, N.Y., from using tires as a fuel source in its mill boilers. "We are here tonight because we don't want to breathe the smoke of burning tires," said environmental advocate for Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) Ben Davis, who moderated the night's discussion.

The forum was held in response to IPC's request to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to conduct a test burn of tire-derived fuel (TDF). In a letter expressing IPC's intention, IPC Mill Manager Chris Mallon stated, "During the 30-day trial, we will maintain compliance with all permit limits." The letter, which is also signed by Lawrence B. Phillips, IPC's environmental scientist, continues, "In addition, we will monitor TDF usage and will limit our TDF firing to a maximum of three tons per hour, as metered into the bark feeder in the wood yard." If granted a permit to use TDF, IPC would shred tires into three-quarter-inch strips after removing 95 percent of the metal in the tires.

At the forum, dozens of Addison County residents, including State Senators Gerry Gossens and Claire Ayer of Addison County and State Legislator Steve Maier of Middlebury, listened to three panelists and two representatives of IPC assess the tire-burning issue. Panelists included former University of Vermont professor Jean Richardson, who has done extensive research on dioxin (a potent carcinogen released during tire burning) and other pollutants, Middlebury physician Jack Mayer and David Higbee of the New York-based organization Environmental Advocates. Speaking on behalf of IPC, Mallon and Manager of Technical Services Jay Wilson also gave statements.

Mallon began by arguing, "The mill [IPC] is interested in doing this for economic reasons." He noted that fuel prices have skyrocketed recently, although he was also quick to mention that the mill was not asking for regulatory relief. Mallon explained that IPC seeks to conduct a 30-day test during which the boilers would be stocked with up to 73 tons of tires per day. If these tests are successful, IPC would then replace five to 10 percent of its boiler fuel with "tire-derived fuel" (TDF). Mallon further contended that the burning is actually an environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted tire piles, a claim that he defended by citing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval of the tire burning and its use at plants around the country. "We expect no adverse effects," he concluded.

Wilson echoed these sentiments, noting that the Ticonderoga facility has a long history of environmental compliance with local, state and national regulations. Wilson said that IPC uses "state-of-the-art combustion control" and "continuous emissions monitors that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week." He said that these environmentally aware practices would still hold true in the experimental tire burn, when IPC would precisely identify every chemical compound being produced.

In opposition to the IPC representatives, the VPIRG stated, "The incineration of tires emits toxic heavy metals including mercury, lead, chromium, beryllium, cadmium and arsenic." VPIRG further noted that the burning also releases dioxin, which the EPA has recognized as the most potent man-made carcinogen known.

Higbee also responded to the IPC statements, first noting that there is a minimum of 33 millionstires in New York. As for these tires catching on fire, Higbee cautioned, "it's not if but when," since the tires often end up in hazardous and unmonitored piles. He warned of the severe water and air pollution caused by these accidental tire blazes and suggested the solution of turning tire piles into material for roadbeds, as has been done in Maine. Higbee said that the belief that tires burn so hot that they destroy all pollutants is a fallacy and claimed, "There is no such thing as 'destroy.' When you burn tires, you get energy and pollution." He argued that no level of emissions was acceptable, for once IPC is given a permit, "the plant will have an appetite for burning tires."

Richardson, who lives about 27 miles downwind from IPC, stated that such a complex mix of pollutants in emissions not only affects air quality, but also "rains down onto plants and is consumed by animals and people." The pollutants permeate the land and water, infecting fish, produce, livestock and milk with chemicals. Challenging IPC's claims, Richardson said she didn't believe that IPC's boilers were "state-of-the-art." She further noted that the EPA had found that a Wisconsin paper mill, which had tested tires as a fuel source, had actually seen great increases in pollutant levels. "Do we want to be guinea pigs for a test?" Richardson questioned angrily. "Burning tires will allow them to save money, but at what health cost?"

Moyer, a Middlebury-based pediatrician, further focused on possible health risks by highlighting the specific effects of toxins on children, pointing out that the EPA regulations are based on adult exposure. Moyer said that Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), many of which are carcinogens, tend to accumulate in breast milk. He noted that during early stages of development, children's DNA is more receptive to carcinogens, and that pollutants can stay in children's bodies longer.

The panelists' presentations were followed by questions from the audience, most of which reflected an acute concern. Sen. Gossens asked, "Are you going to test because of the EPA, or to make people feel better? Why a test?" The IPC representatives responded, "We are testing for a long, long list of toxins. We're going to test with the best science there is." They emphasized, however, that they didn't believe the tests would show that these pollutants would be beyond regulation level, and that they were confident that the TDF would be used in the future.

However, Jason Gibbs, spokesman for Douglas, stated, "The governor believes that, at a time when states in the East are working to combat air pollution caused by plants in the Midwest, the last thing Vermont needs is a neighbor from across the lake to contribute to that problem."

Community residents also strongly voiced their concerns. John Bruckner of Shoreham, who can see the mill from his house, commented that the stench of the fumes that IPC already generates is appalling. "The odor is almost bad enough to cause dry heaves - and that's without burning tires," Bruckner said. "It's disgusting, and you want to throw tires on top of that." For the past two weeks, fellow Shoreham resident Michelle Eagan has been circulating a petition asking for Vermont authorities to intervene in the New York permitting process that would allow IPC to burn tires, and told those at the forum that she had already gathered 80 signatures.

Despite the IPC's efforts through the forum to reassure the surrounding community of their safety of the tire-burning practices, Davis is now putting together a letter addressed to the governor, which, he says, "will be signed by many elected officials, groups and citizens." Davis' basic demand is that "the governor should do everything in his power to ensure that there will be no harm to human health and the environment before the test burn takes place. That means mobilizing the Health Deptartment, the Agriculture Deptartment, the Attorney General's Office and the DEC to all weigh in and sign off that Vermonters are safe from the effects of burning tires."

Davis said VPIRG has "a very specific list of demands we will insist be met before any burning takes place."

The forum was followed by a protest march across the Champlain Bridge on Saturday morning. The VPIRG organized the march, which attracted about 50 people of all ages. Walkers carried signs bearing messages varying from "No Tire Fire" to "Where's the Health Dept.?" and "Where's
Jim Douglas?" Clearly, residents of Vermont feel very strongly about the IPC's tire-burning plans. It appears that the IPC will continue to face strong community opposition should the mill decide to go ahead with adopting the new tire-burning methods.