At the formal public hearing on February 11th, residents provided testimony on a number of concerns regarding the combined NPDES and Air Quality Plan Permits for a proposed gas-fired power plant along the Yough by Tenaska Pennsylvania Partners LLP. Before the hearing began, a one-hour question and answer session was hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection and led by Kim Morewood, the Director of the Office of Environmental Advocate. Many residents were outspoken about their disappointment in the lack of answers that were given during the Q&A, referring to it as a question session instead. Dissatisfaction in DEP’s scheduling and formatting of the prior public information sessions was a reoccurring comment made throughout the evening. It was noted on the record that a DEP official publically announced the wrong deadline for formal written comments without clarifying the mistake, which is another example of unclear information having been provided to the public even though the commenting process was being guided by the enhanced public participation policy.
In relation to the permits, many residents fear the environmental impacts this plant may have on the Youghiogheny River as well as regional air quality. Members from the local Sportsman’s Association wanted to know if Tenaska would reimburse them for trout stocking in the event of a fish kill from exposure to polluted or high temperature waste water. Air quality experts questioned Tenaska’s methods used in air models, referencing levels for formaldehyde specifically. In response, DEP informed Tenaska that they had plans to impose a limit for this particular air pollutant. Many residents brought up concerns over reduced property values of their homes. Some even pleaded with supporters of the plant to consider if South Huntingdon Township is the appropriate location due to past experiences of degradation from boom and bust industries.
Mountain Watershed Association asked the Department to deny Tenaska’s NPDES permit based on the deficiencies that were noted in our formal public comment (available here). A comment response document will be issued by the Department to address many of the concerns that were brought forth during the public comment period. There is still time to submit formal written comments to Elizabeth Farley at the Department of Environmental Protection, Clean Water Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Ms. Farley can also be reached via email at elfarley@pa.gov with the subject Water Pollution Discharge (NPDES) Permit # PA0254771. The comment deadline is February 23rd.