The world’s largest producer of wood pellets Enviva Partners, LP (“Enviva”) received green signal from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (“Virginia DEQ”) to install voluntary air quality equipment, meant for curbing emissions at its Southampton wood pellet production plant. The modification that came at request of Enviva leverages for increased production and increased utilization of pine (softwood).

An informal session for local residents held by the Virginia DEQ followed a well-attended hearing from residents, stakeholders, and concerned parties in September. The session was held to discuss the company’s request for additional air quality controls. Reportedly, overwhelming number of local community members vouched for the Southampton plant as they envisage Enviva to contribute to economic growth, job creation, strong commitment to sustainability, air quality and community support.

John Keppler, Enviva Chairman and CEO thanked Virginia DEQ and expressed delight at their painstaking work and review of the permit request. Keppler was exalted that Virginia DEQ nonchalantly paid heed to stakeholders during the process.

Keppler, in a press statement, pitched for the significance of addressing climate change. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls for profound use of bioenergy akin to wood pellet to prune the repercussion of climate change to less than 1.5 degree Celsius. Over 100 forest scientists from more than 50 universities teamed up with the IPCC to acknowledge the environmental upsides of bioenergy such as wood pellets, stated Keppler.

Analysis of economic data alludes significance of Enviva’s presence in the state of Virginia as the company contributes more than $125.5 mn annually in regional economic impact and underpins around 450 direct and indirect jobs. Ever since Enviva started its plant in Southampton, substantial plunge has been observed—over 12%— in the number of families in the Southampton Country living below the poverty line.
 

Source Credits:

https://www.envivapartners.com/press-release/enviva-receives-stamp-approval-voluntarily-install-new-air-quality-equipment