In October 2021, LCT Energy, LP (LCT) filed a permit modification to expand its underground mining operations in Fayette and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania. If approved, this expansion would add approximately 1,400 acres to the current 2,800-acre Rustic Ridge I Mine.
This expansion would threaten the stability of major roads, including portions of Interstate 70/76, which have seen tens of millions of dollars in recent upgrades. Given the history of subsidence (sinking ground) in the area, this expansion raises serious safety and financial concerns for our community.
What is Subsidence?
Subsidence happens when the ground above a mine sinks or collapses, damaging buildings, roads, and other structures.
Permit Expansion Issues and Removal of the 50% Extraction Limit
In the 2017 permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), LCT was required to maintain a 2.0 factor of safety under roads and limit coal extraction to 50% to ensure stability.
(In underground mining and tunneling, the factor of safety (fs) is a ratio that helps assess the risk of failure. It’s usually defined as the ratio of an object’s capacity (C) to its demand (D). Failure is assumed to occur when the fs is less than 1.)
It’s crucial to note that subsidence damage to homes occurred even with the 2.0 fs in place, demonstrating that the safety factor alone is insufficient to prevent subsidence.
After requests from LCT, PennDOT removed the 50% extraction limit for the expansion amendment currently under consideration, effectively removing the limit from permit conditions. By doing this, DEP and PennDOT have stripped away a vital layer of public protection, posing significant and unnecessary risks to safety.
Real-life Impacts of Subsidence
Since the Rustic Ridge I Mine started operating, there have been at least 10 complaints of subsidence. Significant damage has occurred, particularly in a residential area on Hellen Ridge Lane. Out of five homes on the lane, three were bought by the mine company due to severe damage, and another home has an undisclosed settlement.
Additionally, Hellein School Road exhibits signs of potential subsidence, with a noticeable dip in the roadway. This road is also within the special protection area where coal extraction is limited to 50%. The presence of subsidence indicators, even within this protected area, raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the current safety measures.
The Barr Report and Safety Concerns
After LCT found the subsidence, the company hired Barr Engineering to explore why it occurred and figure out how to prevent it from happening again. But the full report was never shared with DEP, despite repeated requests. APEX Companies, LLC, LCT’s consulting and engineering firm, only provided a brief summary, which lacks crucial details.
The summary mentions that subsidence was due to “localized floor conditions and smaller pillars,” but it does not fully explain these points. It also lists vague improved measures to be implemented, such as designing larger pillars and increasing barrier size, without specifying where or when these will be implemented.
This lack of detail raises a critical question: how can the DEP ensure protective measures are in place if there is no clear understanding of the triggers for their placement?
APEX’s summary of the report reveals that other areas could be prone to subsidence, but does not identify their locations. This means that there could very well be similarly high-risk conditions under the PA Turnpike, but the DEP and the Turnpike Commission wouldn’t be aware of the problem areas.
Financial Concerns: Turnpike Upgrades
PennDOT has invested millions in upgrading the Turnpike near the mine. In 2019, new construction at and around the Donegal Interchange and Route 31 cost about $20 million. Additionally, a 10-mile stretch of the Turnpike was rebuilt in the early 2000s, costing around $67 million. If the mine expands, subsidence could literally undermine these improvements, wasting public funds and endangering road safety.
Why Should You Care?
- Safety Risks: Subsidence can cause serious damage and accidents.
- Lack of Information: Without the full Barr Report, DEP and PennDOT can’t ensure safety.
- Real-life Impacts: Previous subsidence shows current measures might not be enough.
- Financial Waste: Millions of public dollars spent on road upgrades could be wasted.
What Can You Do?
- Stay Informed: Learn about subsidence and its impacts.
- Ask Questions: Inquire about safety measures at public meetings.
- Voice Concerns: Reach out to DEP with comments and raise concerns at the:
Turnpike Commission meeting: September 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM
- Anyone who wishes to address the Commission should contact the Assistant Secretary Treasurer at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting date
- Ann Louise Edwards
- Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
- 717-831-7219
- TTY: 1-800-932-0586
- CommissionMeetings@paturnpike.com
By understanding these issues and speaking up, you can help protect your community from the risks of the proposed mine expansion.