Public offers input on proposed power plant

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

Two hours of information and public comment on a proposed power plant in Elizabeth Township left many participants and organizers feeling a bit frustrated Tuesday night.

More than 70 people participated in the Zoom event hosted by the Mountain Watershed Association, with more in person at a site in West Newton. 

Panelists included representatives from the Allegheny County Health Department, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Integrity Project. Residents from both Allegheny and Westmoreland counties attended and offered questions.

Ashley Funk of the Mountain Watershed Association outlined the history of the power plant application, starting with Elizabeth Township Zoning Hearing Board denials for rezoning in 2016 and 2017. A third request to change a 147-acre parcel from rural/residential to light industrial was approved in 2018, paving the way for a power plant on the site.

“It was approved in December 2018 despite strong community opposition,” Funk said.

Funk said the plans to construct a power plant are now at the first step: a draft air permit released by the Allegheny County Health Department, which has jurisdiction over the air quality permit.

“Invenergy hasn’t applied for any other permits,” Funk said. “That would spark a legal challenge.”

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.