Newton Citizen

Photo by Howard Reed

FiberVisions Manufacturing Company has requested the Georgia Environmental Protection Division modify its Air Quality Permit in order to increase particulate matter emissions by approximately 3.6 tons per year at its Alcovy Road facility.

The industry manufactures polyolefin and bicomponent staple fibers for a variety of products used in the hygiene, textiles, automotive and construction markets. The company plans to construct two additional extrusion lines and four new extruders, citing "strong customer demand" as a reason for the additions.

The new equipment will result in an increase of emissions by about 3.6 tons per year, a 2 percent increase, said Eric Cornwell, manager of EPD's Air Protection Branch's Stationary Source Permitting Program.

"We process 600 or 700 permit applications per year. Some are very administrative and some are for large expansions. By way of comparisons to other expansions, this is fairly small," he said.

A mandatory 30-day public comment period is currently underway. The public may review a copy of the draft permit at http://www.georgiaair.org/airpermit/html/permits/draft.html. Comments can be made in writing. Mail comments to Air Protection Branch, 4244 International Parkway, Atlanta Tradeport, Suite 120, Atlanta, GA, 30354 or email eric.cornwell@gadnr.org. The comment period runs through August 29. EPD will review comments, make any necessary changes and then issue a proposed permit amendment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a 45 day review prior to issuance of a final permit.

For more information, call 404-363-7000.