Newpro (Northern Engineered Wood Products) in Smithers will now be able to convert to a wood pellet manufacturing plant.
The BC Ministry of Environment approved an amendment to their emissions permit to allow the conversion from a panel board manufacturing plant.
Mayor Taylor Bachrach says the new plant will see a reduction in emissions by 87 per cent.
He says the plant will use a Stela belt dryer from Germany rather than conventional rotary dryers.
“Overall, Newpro is a big employer in our town…they’re a big industrial taxpayer. And this is going to make their plant viable into the future. This is something council has supported and I think overall it’s a very positive bit of news for our community,” says Bachrach.
He says the pellet plant will also reduce the need for slash pile burning by reusing wood waste.
Newpro has provided around 30 jobs for the local community.