Blandin Expansion - Possible New Jobs In Grand Rapids Area [View All]

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EAW on Blandin expansion released
Beth Bily
Herald-Review
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 22nd, 2004 12:00:56 PM


Cautious optimism were the words Blandin Paper Company Senior Vice President and General Manager Joe Maher used in reference to the release Monday of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet which scopes the issues to be studied in the more comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement on the addition of a No. 7 paper machine.
In an interview with the Herald-Review, Maher stated that although it is too early to speculate about the impact on overall employment at the paper mill, he would expect to see "incremental increases" in employment and retention of a large number of jobs.
"We would be preserving at least 250 jobs," he said.
But, before a new paper machine goes online, there are significant issues yet to be addressed.
Monday's release of the EAW is another benchmark down a long road which Maher and other Blandin officials hope will lead to the addition of a No. 7 paper line. The process will include the completion of both the EIS and a feasibility study which will take place simultaneously.
When UPM announced the feasibility study last summer, the company stated that the permitting process would take place at the same time as the feasibility study and a decision would be made after all the necessary permits were in hand.
According to the EAW, the project’s main components are:
• The addition of a No. 7 paper making line
• Increasing pulp producing capacity
• Optimization of the No. 6 paper manufacturing line
• The addition of warehouse facilities
If a No. 7 is constructed, the No. 5 paper line would be shut down permanently with the startup of the new machine.
The addition of a No. 7 would increase Blandin’s wood use by approximately 197,000 cords per year, making total consumption about 400,000 cords annually. It would increase paper production from about 450,000 tons per year to 760,000 tons per year.
While there are many proposals which surround the addition of a new paper machine, Maher said that he believes those which will generate the most discussion include the increase in fiber use and five options that the company is exploring for the construction of a new warehouse.
According to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, issues to be studied in depth will include potential impacts on noise, transportation and timber harvest.


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