KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The State of Michigan has slapped a fine and additional requirements on Graphic Packaging for Air quality violations, but this isn’t the action the city and Northside residents have been waiting for.
The state and the company have agreed on the response to odor complaints and construction permit violations made before the pandemic. The Consent Decree from Monday, November 28, calls for a fine of just under $100,000 and for the firm to install additional odor control equipment to address six citations issued between early 2017 and late 2020, by the state’s Air Quality Division.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, And Energy, is scheduled to hold a virtual public input session on the consent order on Thursday, December 1 at 6 p.m. to receive public comment on the settlement, which will require the paper recycling firm to continue to operate gear installed to limit odors and install new wet scrubbers and oxidation-reduction gear, with new motors to improve odor control.
The state has received multiple complaints about odors, and claims the firm began work on the footings and foundations for two boilers before seeking permits. The report that everyone wants to see is still being compiled by the E.P.A. and Michigan’s Health and Environmental agencies to determine if chemicals emitted from the plant are responsible for health problems in the neighborhoods near the north side plant.
Kalamazoo City Mayor Dave Anderson says those studies could result in additional compliance orders, and actions, or not..depending on their findings.
Preliminary findings suggested that chemical releases have not reached hazardous levels, but more testing has been done since.
Reporting by: John McNeill
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