"Maryland environmental regulators were in talks with a Western Maryland paper mill about how to significantly reduce the facility’s output of a harmful pollutant when its owner shocked state officials last week by announcing plans to shutter the 131-year-old factory.

With data showing the Luke mill has at times exceeded the latest federal standard for sulfur dioxide emissions over the past two years, Maryland Department of the Environment officials and Ohio-based mill owner Verso Corp. said they were discussing what exhaust-scrubbing technology could be installed.

As recently as 2014, the mill was the state’s largest source of the toxic gas and lung irritant, produced by burning coal, oil and black liquor, a controversial papermaking byproduct that is considered renewable fuel."

Scott Dance reports for the Baltimore Sun May 9, 2019. [2]