Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protectio : DEP Schedules Public Hearing on Proposed Emission Reduction Credit Air Quality Plan Approval for Lackawanna County Power Plant

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Colleen Connolly, DEP

570-826-2035

Wilkes-Barre
- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a public meeting and hearing regarding an air quality plan approval application submitted by Lackawanna Energy Center LLC, (LEC) on September 13, 2017. The hearing and meeting will take place from 6:00 - 9:00 PM on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at Valley View High School, 1 Columbus Drive, Archbald, PA 18403.

The public meeting, to take questions from the public regarding the application, will be held from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, followed by public testimony from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

The purpose of the air quality application is to seek approval from DEP to use emission reduction credits (ERCs), which are required to offset emissions from the LEC natural gas-fired power plant currently under construction in the Borough of Jessup, Lackawanna County.

ERCs are generated through emissions reductions from other facilities. Facilities like LEC that are required to offset their emissions must apply for use of these ERCs. Through its pending plan approval application, LEC is seeking approval to use ERCs that DEP has reviewed and confirmed are available.

DEP originally issued an air quality plan approval to LEC on December 22, 2015, which permitted the commencement of construction of the facility. A revised air quality plan approval was issued on July 12, 2016 to account for a reconfiguration of the facility from one larger steam turbine and air-cooled condenser to three smaller turbines and condensers. DEP required revised air quality modeling prior to issuing its approval to ensure compliance with ambient air quality requirements. The plan approval application currently pending is limited to the review and approval for use of ERCs.

A public notice announcing the public hearing for the ERCs was published in the PA Bulletin on January 6, 2018 and in the Scranton Times newspaper on December 30 and 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018.

Citizens who wish to offer testimony can pre-register by notifying Colleen Connolly, Community Relations Coordinator at [e-mail] or Mark Wejkszner, Air Quality Program Manager at [e-mail].

Citizens may also submit written testimony by 4:00 PM on Friday, February 16, 2018. Those comments can be sent by mail to Mark Wejkszner, Air Quality Program Manager, DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711, or by email to [e-mail].

A copy of the draft plan approval and application can be viewed at DEP's Northeast Regional Office (NERO) in Wilkes-Barre. Those wishing to make an appointment to view the documents can do so between the hours of 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM by calling 570-826-2511.

WHAT: Lackawanna Energy Center, Public Meeting and Hearing
WHEN: Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Valley View High School Auditorium, 1 Columbus Drive, Archbald, 18403

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