The Northwest Pulp & Paper Association (NWPPA) has presented its 2016 Environmental Excellence Award to Port Townsend Paper Corp.

During the past 10 years, the mill has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels by nearly 60 percent and is aiming to continue on that path by switching to using compressed natural gas (CNG) to save on fuel costs, according to mill officials.

“When we first started tracking greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in 2005, we were emitting about 153,000 metric tonnes per year,” explained Kevin Scott, engineering and environmental manager for Port Townsend Paper. “We are now less than half that, reaching about 61,000 metric tonnes in 2014.”

A natural gas refueling project is expected to further help reduce GHG as the mill continues to displace oil with natural gas, which has about 30 percent lower GHG emissions on the equivalent energy basis, Scott said.

Scott also said that the award is exciting because, “It's significant for us to be recognized for this achievement, especially in a group of our peers.”

Scott noted that the package boiler was converted in July to burn only natural gas and that the lime kiln will be converted in September to displace most of the oil consumption. In October, the biomass boiler, which also uses little fossil fuel, will have gas burners added so that supplemental fuel can be the cleaner natural gas.

“When Crown Paper acquired the mill in 2015, we said we would invest to transform it into a high performing business,” said Steve Klinger, Crown Paper Group CEO, in a press release. “This award is a milestone in that transformation, and there are more milestones to come: We are optimizing our Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standard boiler. We are accelerating settlement pond remediation. We are converting to compressed natural gas. Port Townsend Paper is on an upward trend.”

Port Townsend Paper and Crown Packaging President Colin Fernie agreed and also recognized the work of employees in the achievement.

“Three hundred employees of Port Townsend Paper accomplished this. We appreciate the recognition and are committed to continued environmental stewardship,” Fernie said.

Association of Washington Business President Kris Johnson applauded the mill for making progress in reducing its carbon footprint, according to a press release.

Formed in 1956, the NWPPA represents 13 member companies and 16 paper mills in Washington, Oregon and Idaho on legislative and regulatory issues with special emphasis on environmental and energy policy.

Port Townsend Paper produces kraft pulp, paper, containerboard and specialty products by blending virgin and recycled fibers at its mill in Port Townsend.

For more information, visit

nwpulpandpaper.org

and ptpc.com.