Residents Fight Mill’s C&D Wood Burning Plan

A group of Westbrook, Maine, residents has raised opposition to Sappi Fine Paper’s plan to burn demolition wood in the boiler at its Westbrook mill, according to a report in the Portland Press Herald.

Sappi Fine Paper is a manufacturer of coated fine paper with a North American head office in Boston. The facility currently burns chips made of virgin wood but wants to use demolition scrap wood for up to half of the fuel mix and is seeking a permit to make the change, according to the report.

However, a local citizens’ group, Westbrook for Clean Air, has raised concerns that burning demolition wood will release potentially dangerous substances into the air.

The Portland Press Herald reports that a test burn of demolition wood was done in March. Emissions from that test were below ambient air state guidelines.