Special Report No. 71-03: A Survey of Pulp and Paper Industry Expenditures for Air Quality Improvement

In 1971 the National Council conducted the first comprehensive survey of expenditures and operating costs for air quality improvement in the pulp and paper industry. At the recommendation of the Operating Committee the survey was restricted to collection of information on capital expenditures and operating costs with the provision that the next survey be (a) incorporated with the water quality protection expenditure and accomplishment survey and (b) in the future both be conducted bi-annually at the end of odd numbered years. Earlier air quality improvement expenditure surveys were restricted in coverage to the kraft pulping process where the bulk of the pulp and paper industry expenditures were known to be made. This survey was expanded to include not only capital expenditures and operating costs for air quality protection in the kraft pulping process, but in the sulfite pulping process, as well as for the industry's power and steam generation and paper manufacturing processes. Information was collected on capital expenditures and associated operating costs for external air quality protection equipment for these manufacturing operations. Projected expenditures for external air quality protection devices for 1971 and 1972 were also requested. Both current and projected expenditure information was generated on that portion of expenditures assignable to air quality protection for (a) the conversion of power and steam generation boilers to utilize fuel resulting in lower emissions, and (b) the provision of kraft recovery furnace capacity that permits controlled operation for minimum reduced sulfur emissions in anticipation of new regulations.