Domtar A.W. LLC has agreed to pay a $1.5 million civil penalty and carry out at least $2.6 million in corrective measures to resolve alleged environmental violations at its kraft pulp and paper facility in Ashdown, Arkansas.
The proposed consent decree was lodged by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), together with the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality. The penalty will be divided between the federal government and the state of Arkansas.
According to the complaint, Domtar allegedly failed to install required pollution controls on a brown stock washer used to separate spent pulping liquor from pulp fibers. Without adequate controls, the equipment can release hydrogen sulfide and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
Federal and state authorities also allege shortcomings in the mill’s inspection, leak-monitoring and performance-testing practices. In one case cited in the complaint, the company allegedly went 53 days without completing a required inspection and failed to detect a leaking valve.
The extent of excess emissions remains unknown, according to the Justice Department. The pollutants potentially involved include volatile organic compounds and other hazardous air pollutants.
Domtar to strengthen controls and monitoring
Under the proposed consent decree, Domtar will install appropriate pollution-control equipment on the brown stock washer and revise its leak detection and repair procedures. A third party will review the updated plan, while the mill will increase the frequency of leak monitoring and conduct additional performance testing on two boilers.
The company will also install capping valves designed to limit emissions of volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. Its biological wastewater treatment system will be modified to capture certain pollutants before they are emitted into the air.
EPA Region 6 acknowledged Domtar’s cooperation in addressing the matter and working toward compliance.
Domtar A.W. LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Domtar Corporation. Domtar describes the Ashdown mill as one of the world’s largest fluff pulp production facilities.
The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final approval by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
