PA Environmental Coalition Submits Comments on Coal Plant Permit Renewals

 June 26, 2012 - Yesterday a group of environmentalist groups including, Clean Air Council, Sierra Club and Group Against Smog and Pollution, submitted comments on four coal-fired power plant renewal permits for air pollution. These proposed renewal permits were issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in response to a lawsuit brought by a coalition of environmental groups, including the Council. The plants must update their permits every five years. They had all submitted their application for renewal and despite being required by law to act on an application within 18 months of submission, DEP failed to act, for years in many cases. 

On May 25, 2012, DEP announced its intention to issue these renewal permits in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Yesterday the group submitted comments on four of these permits. The group received an extension on two of the permits for an additional month. Comments were submitted for Beaver Valley Cogen, Mitchell Power Station, Homer City Generating Station and Sunbury Generation. Copies of the comments are attached below.

The groups main concerns included:

• The proposed permits do not include measures to meet nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and particulate matter ambient air quality standards;
• The proposed permits do not incorporate measures to meet the Cross State Air Pollution Rule and the Mercury Air Toxics Standards; and
• The proposed permits do not contain adequate monitoring requirements.