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Air Quality

Lavington residents skeptical of pellet plant testing

VERNON - Some local residents continue to ask questions about a wood pellet plant in Lavington. The group Lavington is for Everyone (LIFE) issued a media release earlier this week stating there is still no scientific evidence of air quality improvement at the plant. That’s at odds with the results of a mandatory test conducted...

Lavington pellet plant emissions ‘like night and day’

VERNON - The company behind a controversial wood pellet plant in Lavington says it has drastically reduced emissions. Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group president Leroy Reitsma says the results of third-party testing by McCall Environmental show emissions are down 83 per cent thanks to new technology. “What we’re running at compared to what we used to...

Weekend rain should help improve air quality in Thompson-Okanagan

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The rain falling throughout the Thompson-Okanagan today should help with the forest fire smoke in the air. Although Environment Canada meteorologist Louis Kohanyi isn’t optimistic the rain forecast to fall throughout the weekend will be enough to lift the special air quality statement issued for the region. The forecast is calling for showers...

Smoky skies advisory issued for Okanagan

OKANAGAN - It may come as little surprise given the number of fires burning in the area, but a smoky skies advisory has been issued for the entire Okanagan. The special air quality statement was issued by the Ministry of Environment and the Interior Health Authority yesterday evening, July 21, for the entire Okanagan, including...

New high stack design to reduce impact of Domtar emissions

KAMLOOPS - Though a major project has been delayed by nearly a year, Domtar is well on the way to living up to its promise to reduce emissions by 68 per cent by 2016. As part of the air permit process Domtar assumed the obligation, through purchasing the mill in 2007, to achieve a 61...

New Gold air quality better than originally indicated

REPORTING METHODS UPDATED KAMLOOPS - The amount of fine particulate matter produced by the New Gold mine just outside of Kamloops is a lot lower than originally thought, according to recent numbers from the company. When the 2012 numbers were released last summer it appeared the New Afton Mine was the third worst polluter in...