Business in brief: Newsprint firm, state settle

Ponderay Newsprint and the Washington state Department of Ecology have reached a settlement over air-quality permit violations, the state agency said in a Thursday news release.

Under terms of the settlement, the Pend Oreille County business will pay $100,000, the majority of which will go to a local project to reduce toxic air pollution, the release said. The money will be used to help low-income residents of the county replace older, uncertified woodstoves with cleaner-burning appliances.

Ponderay Newsprint failed to submit an application for an “air operating permit,” a requirement of major sources of air pollution, the release said. The company has agreed to submit that application.

Industries are required to have the permit if they have the potential to emit more than 100 tons per year of any pollutant, more than 10 tons per year of a hazardous air pollutant or more than 25 tons per year of a combination of pollutants. These pollutant levels are considered “major sources” and are subject to more stringent requirements by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the release said.

Since the inception of the permit program in 1994, Ponderay Newsprint has reported emissions below the amount that would require the permit. However, testing conducted at the company since 2003, using newer methods, has shown emissions of volatile organic compounds sufficient for classification as a “major” air pollution source.

Spokane Valley

Valley Chamber names winners

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday the winners of its Awards of Excellence.

They are:

“Small business of the year: Brighton Court Assisted Living

“Medium business of the year: Holiday Inn Express/Spokane Valley

“Large business of the year: Itron

“Chamber member volunteer of the year: Sue Schindler, Blodgett & Co.

“Non-profit organization award: Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs

“Community Caring Award: Susan DeLano, Wishing Star

“Harry E. Nelson citizen of the year: Joe Custer

At the awards dinner Saturday, Custer was honored for a lifetime achievement award. During his career in the Valley, Custer was a leader in the establishment of the Industrial Park and the Centennial Trail, the Chamber of Commerce announced in a news release.

Seattle

Dreamliner won’t go wireless

Boeing has scrapped plans for a wireless entertainment system on its new 787 “Dreamliner,” about eight months before the plane’s first scheduled flight.

But the change won’t delay the new plane’s assembly, and going with a system of wires rather than antennas actually will trim pounds from the weight-conscious 787, Boeing officials said.

“We’re putting in about 50 pounds of wiring and taking out about 200 pounds of other gear,” said Mike Sinnett, director of 787 systems. “And from a schedule point of view, it makes life easier for us.”