IP calls off controversial test burn

Author: Andrea Glaessner

Last Tuesday, International Paper announced its decision to conclude the highly controversial test burn at its Ticonderoga, N.Y. mill one week earlier than they had originally planned. According to IP's press release, "Preliminary test data indicates that long-term use of tire-derived fuel would not be economically feasible at the time." The press release did not elaborate on why the burn was deemed economically unfeasible on a long-term basis. IP's vague explanation of the test burn's abrupt conclusion has allowed some environmental activists to assume IP's decision was a consequence of the pressure they put on the firm in the form of protests and vociferous emails.

Barbara Ernst of the Northeast Clean Air Act said that she was under this impression. In an email, Ernst wrote, "Although the spin in the official press release says [the test was] not economically feasible, the real reason is because the overwhelming toxic pollution created from burning tires without industry standard pollution controls…was so vocally objected by the citizens of Vermont and our local senators and representatives and federal senators and representatives, environmental groups, farms, citizens across the state and region and country."

Contrary to Ernst' argument, Donna Wadsworth, the Ticonderoga mill's communications and environmental manager, was quoted in the Tuesday press release explaining that the goals of the burn had been achieved. Wadsworth wrote, "This trial has allowed us to assess the economics without compromising our pledge to operate in compliance. This project has confirmed the integrity of the permitting process and the roles of the agencies that administer the regulations and the courts that upheld the right to conduct this alternative fuel evaluation."

Ernst insisted that the Northeast Clean Air Coalition will continue with an investigation of the test burn to confirm Wadsworth's statements that the project was carried out with integrity and complied with environmental protection agencies' standards.