Groups urge public to get involved at power plant hearing
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
Public participation is being encouraged in the comment period and June 8 public hearing for the air quality permit for Invenergy’s proposed power plant in Elizabeth Township.
“Even if you don’t live in the immediate area, if it impacts your recreation or use of the Great Allegheny Passage, it adds to the volume,” said Ashely Funk of the Mountain Watershed Association, which hosted a Zoom seminar Thursday on how to testify.
“Showing up, participating in any way you can, it does make a difference,” added Lisa Graves Marcucci of the Environmental Integrity Project.
Invenergy/Allegheny Energy Center is proposing a 634 megawatt gas-fired power plant along the Youghiogheny River between Sutersville and West Newton. The stacks at the plant are expected to be about 180 feet tall and the plant is expected to employ 24-30 people, with a target date of the second quarter of 2023 to become operational.
The site was rezoned from rural residential to light industrial by Elizabeth Township in December 2018.
Marcucci said her organization, working along with the Clean Air Council, is preparing technical and legal arguments against the facility. She will submit both written and oral testimony, and members of the public will be invited to add their signatures to the written report.
Marcucci offered tips for people interested in presenting oral or written testimony. She said all written public comments should be submitted prior to 11:59 p.m. June 7, and anyone wishing to give oral testimony will need to register prior to the June 8 event, which will be conducted via Zoom by the Allegheny County Health Department.
“In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection handles 65 of the 67 counties,” Marcucci said. “There are only two counties the state doesn’t control air quality: Philadelphia County and Allegheny County.”
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