There is a bit more time to submit comment on an application by Rio Tinto Alcan to be allowed to burn wood waste accumulated from the modernization project.
April 1 is the cut off for comment on the proposal for controlled open burning of up to 70,000 cubic metres of wood, using four “air curtain” burners.
In the company’s application to the ministry of environment they say the air curtain technology means emissions are limited, including particulates.
Basically it cuts down on the amount of smoke the burning makes.
Compared to an open fire, the air curtain burners drop carbon monoxide emissions by 99 per cent.
For anyone who might be affected, comments and correspondence on this application should be sent to Manager, Environmental Protection, Ministry of Environment, at Bag 5000, 3726 Alfred Avenue, Smithers, B.C., V0J 2N0.
The company says in their application that they’ve already accumulated approximately 15,000 cubic metres of waste and up to 55,000 cubic metres are expected in the final stages of the Kitimat Modernization Project.
The burning would happen in two phases, one over six to eight weeks for the waste currently sitting in two large piles, and the second phase for 2015 to 2016 waste, burned every three to six weeks.