Ampersand Gilman Hydro - Pulp and Paper Facility in Gilman, Vermont

Ampersand Gilman Hydro is a pulp and paper facility situated at 35 Riverside Ave in Gilman, Vermont, within Essex County. The plant is operational and classified under NAICS codes 221111 (Hydroelectric Power Generation) and 322121 (Paper (except Newsprint) Mills), suggesting an integrated operation that combines paper production with on-site hydroelectric power generation. This dual classification reflects a facility that generates its own renewable energy to support industrial processes. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which enforces multi-media environmental regulations including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Section 313 reporting. As a pulp and paper mill, it is subject to specific effluent guidelines and air emission standards under the CWA and CAA. The hydroelectric component may also be regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensing and environmental compliance. Pulp and paper mills are significant industrial facilities due to their water and energy intensity. The integration of hydroelectric power at this site reduces reliance on external energy sources and lowers the facility's carbon footprint. However, the papermaking process involves chemical pulping, bleaching, and wastewater treatment, which can generate pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and wastewater with high biological oxygen demand (BOD). The facility's location in rural Vermont, near the Connecticut River, underscores the importance of rigorous environmental management to protect local water quality and ecosystems.

The facility is located in Gilman, Vermont, a rural area in the Northeast United States. The region is characterized by forested landscapes and the Connecticut River watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life. Pulp and paper operations can impact local water bodies through effluent discharge containing organic matter, chlorinated compounds, and nutrients. Air emissions from boilers and recovery furnaces may include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Proximity to residential areas and recreational waterways necessitates stringent pollution control measures to minimize environmental and community health risks.