Firm Hit With State Environmental Fine
Pinetree Power Fitchburg has been assessed a $600,000 fine by state environmental officials to resolve a series of alleged violations of emissions limits at its facility in Westminster.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said the violations involved particulate matter, ammonia, carbon monoxide and opacity, along with violations of its monitoring and reporting requirements.
A consent order requires Pinetree to comply with DEP regulations by making substantial upgrades to its monitoring and air pollution-control equipment, the DEP said. In addition, the company must pay $150,000 of the assessed penalty.
A call to Pinetree Power today seeking a response was not answered.
Pinetree operates a wood and natural gas-fired boiler on Fitchburg Road in Westminster. The facility is also capable of burning shredded, pre-processed paper cubes, as well as landfill gas. Steam from the facility produces approximately 16 megawatts of electricity per hour that is conveyed to the New England electric supply grid, DEP said. The facility has been producing electricity for the last 20 years, according to the agency.
Under the terms of the consent order, Pinetree agreed to install and operate state-of-the-art air pollution control technology to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides, the DEP said.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments