DEP Informal Public Conference: Rustic Ridge II Mine

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold an informal public conference on August 20 to take comments on LCT Energy’s Rustic Ridge II Deep Coal Mine permit applications. Community members and environmental groups will gather to voice concerns over potential impacts to water quality in the Laurel Highlands region. 

The hearing will take place on August 20 at 6:00 pm at Saint Raymond of the Mountains Church, 164 School House Lane, Donegal, PA 15628. Department staff will be available to answer general questions on the permit applications and to receive both written and oral testimony regarding the applications. 

Rustic Ridge II is a new underground coal mine proposed by LCT Energy, near the headwaters of Jacobs Creek, a tributary to the Youghiogheny River. A mine portal and surface operation off of Claypike Road in Acme, PA, would be developed as part of this mine. LCT Energy currently operates the Rustic Ridge I coal mine, which has been permitted to expand into the Four Mile Run watershed north of the turnpike. 

If approved, Rustic Ridge II would allow LCT Energy to mine 2,323 acres underground and build a 64.6-acre surface facility off Claypike Road. The project would permanently bury over 1,700 feet of streams that are likely headwaters, which feed Jacobs Creek, as well as permanently filling over a half acre of the surrounding wetlands. It would also be permitted to pump out up to 2.8 million gallons of lower-quality mine water each day through three outfalls. LCT anticipates 850,000 tons of coal would be extracted and hauled each year, resulting in around 200 additional truck trips daily. The site is also projected to emit over 50 tons of air pollution annually, adding to concerns about local health and air quality.

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA), a non-profit group based in Melcroft, PA, has already challenged the expansion of Rustic Ridge I. The organization is concerned that Rustic Ridge II could cause more water quality issues in the wider region.

Based on the “Unsuitable for Mining” petition that MWA filed to protect several sensitive waterways in January 2024, a new underground coal mine in the Laurel Highlands could have long-lasting environmental impacts that include:

• Harmful changes in stream flow and water temperature that could disrupt aquatic life
• More acid mine drainage in an area already blighted by historic mine discharges
• Destruction of wetlands and prime farmland soil critical to agriculture
• Economic loss from impacts to tourism, property value, and recreation

MWA is hosting a community prep meeting on Tuesday, August 12 at 6:00 pm at Saint Raymond of the Mountains Church. The public is invited to learn how to organize comments to DEP.

Please call or email Lori Jenkins at 724-769-1023 or lorjenkins@pa.gov to inquire about electronic application review options or with other questions. 

The California District Mining Office will accept additional written comments two weeks after the date of the proceeding until September 4, 2025.

DEP MEETING DETAILS:

St. Raymond of the Mountains Church; 164 School House Ln, Donegal, PA

DEP Informal Public Conference Rustic Ridge II Coal Mine: August 20 at 6:00 pm