The Department of Environmental Quality presented an update on the requested burn permit by Lafarge at Thursday’s Air/Water Quality committee meeting. The fate of the plant’s plans to burn alternate fuel sources lay in the hands of the DEQ.

Gloria Torrello explained to the board the current status of Lafarge’s application.

"I talked to Melissa Byrnes this morning and the permit request is still under review," Torrella said. "I expect to hear a final decision soon."

The permit request has been reviewed by the DEQ and has had a public hearing in Alpena. The plant received a temporary burning permit, but it has long expired. Lafarge is continuing to burn the fuel source under an exemption and is doing so at its own risk.
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