Leahy And Sanders Call On EPA To Reject IP Tire Burn

Washington D.C. (Thursday, August 31) - Senator Patrick Leahy and Congressman Bernie Sanders today called on the Environmental Protection Agency to reject the International Paper Company's (IP) permit to conduct a two-week test burn of tire-derived fuel at their Ticonderoga mill. In a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, Sanders and Leahy urged the EPA to use its authority to refuse the permit in order to protect the health of Vermonters and the environment.

Sanders said, "Allowing IP to begin burning tire-derived fuel without upgrading its emission control equipment is a very dangerous decision that could have serious consequences for Vermonters. The EPA should act responsibly and use its authority to prevent this burn and protect the environment and the health of local residents."

"If the International Paper Company continues to explore burning tire-derived fuel, it simply must install new emissions controls to protect our environment and the health of Vermonters affected by such a burn," said Leahy.  "EPA ought to reject this permit unless changes are made at the IP mill."

The letter is available as a PDF document. 

# # # # #