First Quality Tissue LLC - Pulp and Paper Facility in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

First Quality Tissue LLC is a pulp and paper manufacturing facility located at 599 South Highland Street in Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The plant is operational and falls under NAICS codes 322121 (Paperboard Mills), 322291 (Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing), and 523930 (Reinsurance Carriers). As a pulp and paper facility, it is part of a sector known for significant water and energy use, as well as emissions of pollutants such as particulate matter and volatile organic compounds. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Section 313 reporting. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enforces state-level permits for air emissions, wastewater discharge, and solid waste management. The plant's scale is typical for a medium to large pulp and paper mill in the region. First Quality Tissue LLC contributes to the local economy in Lock Haven and the surrounding Clinton County area. The plant's operations have environmental implications, particularly regarding water usage and effluent treatment, as well as air quality. The facility's proximity to the Susquehanna River watershed necessitates compliance with stringent water quality standards to protect aquatic ecosystems and downstream communities.

The facility is located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, near the West Branch Susquehanna River. Pulp and paper mills are intensive water users and generate wastewater containing organic compounds, solids, and potentially toxic chemicals. Air emissions include particulate matter, sulfur compounds, and greenhouse gases. The plant's operations are subject to EPA and Pennsylvania DEP regulations to mitigate impacts on local water quality and air quality. Community proximity may raise concerns about odor and health effects from emissions.