Harpers Seeks Pollutant Limit Change

Thu., May 18, 2000

Harpers Inc. wants state permis sion to boost the amount of a pollutant released from the Post Falls company’s plant during fabrication of metal office furniture.

The plant on Seltice Way west of Post Falls can legally release up to 199 tons a year of so-called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.

The compounds combine with other pollutants released by the plant and elsewhere on the Rathdrum Prairie to create smog, said Tom Harman, of the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality.

Harpers is seeking permission to release up to 245 tons of VOCs a year, Harman said. The company cites expansion plans as the reason.

In comparison, a sawmill releases between 80 and 100 tons of VOCs a year.

The company is developing a new way to test the amount of VOCs coming out of the plant.

The state will provide a 30-day comment period on the proposed changes, if requested by the public by 5 p.m. June 15.

The plant’s application is available at DEQ’s Coeur d’Alene office at 2110 Ironwood Parkway. For more information, call Harman at (208) 769-1422 or e-mail him at tharman@deq.state.id.us

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Harpers Seeks Pollutant Limit Change

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Man accused in threatening calls to business, Idaho Capitol is sentenced

Idaho Servant Adventures encourages teens to give back while still having fun in Bitterroot mountains

Days before Idaho twins died, medical records show vaccine reaction, defense says