Renewable energy company Drax and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) have reached a settlement concerning Notices of Violation (NOV) at Drax’s Mississippi plant. The NOVs were issued due to alleged exceedances of hazardous air pollutant limits related to methanol and a failure to conduct an emissions performance test by the specified deadline, reported Bioenergy Insight.
Drax stated that it fully cooperated with the investigation, promptly providing accurate information to MDEQ upon discovering the violations.
Under the settlement, Drax will pay a total civil penalty of $225,000 to MDEQ, with $150,000 paid directly to the agency. The remaining $75,000 will be allocated to a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to install a new dust suppression screen at the Gloster plant. Drax noted that it is investing more than the SEP requirement, with the total enhancement project estimated to cost $150,000.
As per media report, the SEP will be implemented as part of the settlement related to an enforcement action by MDEQ. Drax expressed its commitment to resolving these issues and adhering to any appropriate penalties through the agreed order process.
Matt White, EVP of Drax North American Operations, emphasized, “We care deeply about the safety of our people and the communities where we operate. We take our environmental responsibilities and compliance very seriously. Compliance is fundamental to our operations, and we have invested considerable time and resources to continuously improve our practices.”
To read more about Biomass Industry News, continue reading BioEnergyTimes.com
