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The Government of New Brunswick is spending $254,600 to help an Atholville pulp mill lower its carbon footprint.
The AV Group NB pulp mill near Campbellton will get a new energy-efficient dump condenser, thermal insulation upgrade, flow and temperature probes to track energy consumption and a modern control system — all with the goal of reducing energy.
“The whole community will benefit from it,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LePage.
“Cleaner air is our objective and this investment will do that.”
It’s estimated the upgrades will reduce the facility’s carbon footprint by 3.4 per cent.
Ashley Irvine, president and unit head at AV Group NB, said the investment will help the mill remain sustainable in the long-term.
Ashley Irvine, president and unit head at AV Group NB, said the project is one of many aimed at lowering the pulp mill’s carbon footprint. The goal is to reduce the mill’s use of Bunker C oil to zero. (Honorine Ngountchoup/CBC)
“With the rising cost of raw material and energy a project like this allows us to lower our cost and make environmental improvements, which is good for us and our customers,” said Irvine.
He said the investment will allow the mill to recycle heat from its boilers that can then be used to cook woodchips and for bleaching and drying pulp rather than it being wasted.
Irvine said this project is one of many the mill is taking on to reduce emissions, which will cost upwards of $3.5 million in total.
He said the main goal is to reduce the mill’s Bunker C oil consumption – used in industrial boilers, large engines and generation plants — to zero.
“The sustainability of this operation is our number one priority,” said Irvine.
Luc Couturier, deputy mayor of Campbellton Regional Community, said the mill is critical for economic development in the area providing 270 jobs. (Honorine Ngountchoup/CBC)
The pulp mill employs 270 people in the region.
“It’s very important for our region… the mill here is one of the biggest employers in the region so it’s certainly important for work, jobs and economic development,” said Luc Couturier, deputy mayor of Campbellton Regional Community.
The project received funding through the province’s Output-Based Pricing System Industry Fund, designed to help facilities emitting 50,000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent annually to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
LePage said this project is one of two approved through that fund this year. He said this is one step in the province’s mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10.7 Mt by 2030.