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Home My WebLink About032224 email - Re_ Community Q&A (Teams Call) (0002)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. Dear Laurie Thanks for your invitation to the PTPC community Google Teams meeting. Here are the subjects I would hope you address. 1. Does PTPC believe it has an odor problem with its emissions of methylene sulfide from various non-point sources? If so, how does it define it temporally, spatially. and concentration-wise? What are average concentrations on the plant grounds where you need to worry about workers? * As a resident at various locations around PT from Sather Park to Nordland to just north of Port Hadlock, I have found more than 5-10% of the days at each of those locations to have odors that cause me to stay inside. The main odor problem seems to be caused by methylene sulfide, which is heavier than air, and is particularly noticed low to the ground along the Sound and at the Welcome to Port Townsend sign on Highay 20 (it's unusual for me not to smell it there). Let's say that methylene sulfide concentrations are detectable by odor at 1 ppb. That would suggest that PTPC's own estimates are significantly under=counted. PT Air Watchers have mapped those odors from Marrowstone to Oak Bay Rd at the Portage Canal to Cape George to North Beach, an area approaching 20 sq. mi. 2. Does PTPC believe its emissions impact the Jefferson County community? What level of emissions are acceptable? * As a post-doc at Harvard School of Public Health, I learned that non-point source emissions of unusual compounds are not easily regulated. WA DOH began a study of this issue before the pandemic, but has never completed it. While my personal reaction to my relatively infrequent exposures has not been problematic, people accompanying me have exhibited coughs, headaches, and nausea even when we were more than a mile from the plant. The economic effect of the discharges is more quantifiable. As I spent two years house hunting, I asked about a dozen realtors how the odors affected housing prices. They said homes within the plume were priced 50,000-100,000 less. Let's say, there are 1000 lots within the plume area, equivalent to an economic loss to the community of 100 million dollars 3. How much does PTPC pay for its environmental controls, and what portion of the operating budget is it? How do PTPC's environmental controls compare to others owned by your parent company or others around the US? * PTPC plays an important economic and sustainable role in the community by recycling cardboard. I worked for wastewater public agencies on both coasts. While we performed a needed public service and were concerned about the impacts of our environmental costs on rates, odors were alway a concern for nearby residents, , and we always worked with the surrounding community to reach consensus on a balanced approach. Pictures of the plant from state inspection reports and conversations with workers indicate neglected, out-of-date infrastructure. Does PTPC believe better environmental treatment is beyond its financial capability? * The "Tacoma Aroma" was significantly reduced by its owners in the last decade for a cost reportedly less than 10 million. How much reduction of methylene sulfide emissions would an investment of 10-100 million dollars for pollution controls accomplish? 4. What is PTPC's 20-year strategy for the site? There are other uses of high carbohydrate products becoming available with new technologies. Does PTPC see its need for the site changing? Thanks for your consideration of these items. I think they would provide a valuable focus for your effort to communicate with the community. Given the poor regulatory framework for odor emissions, I have found that the question is one that is as much political as it is regulatory so I have copied the local community political leaders. I think any potential changes in our odor situation will require their leadership. Thanks, Michael Stewart Connor On Wed, Mar 20, 2024 at 6:43 AM Magan, Laurie L. <laurie.magan@ptpc.com <mailto:laurie.magan@ptpc.com> > wrote: Thank you for registering for the PTPC Virtual Q&A Session to be held on March 26, 2024 beginning at 1:00pm PST. Please use the Microsoft Teams link at the bottom of this message to log in to the meeting. The Microsoft Teams virtual meeting space will be opened approximately 5 minutes before the start of the event. To prepare for the event, please ensure that you have a current version of Microsoft Teams installed on your computer or mobile device. You can download Teams on your mobile device from the Apple or Google store or download to your laptop or desktop by visiting https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/download-app <https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/downloa d-app> . Please note that the Teams Q&A function will be enabled during the meeting to capture your questions. The Chat and open microphone functions will not be active during the meeting. Due to the number of attendees anticipated, we encourage everyone to submit questions to Communications@ptpc.com <mailto:Communications@ptpc.com> ahead of the meeting. Questions received in advance of the meeting will have priority for discussion. 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