Meeting Added Before Sept. 2 Hearing On Natural Gas Power Plant In Lackawanna

The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced a change to the public hearing scheduled for September 2 at Valley View High School, 1 Columbus Drive, Archbald, PA, regarding a proposed natural gas power plant in Jessup, Lackawanna County.

The department will also host a public meeting prior to the public hearing which will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Representatives from the DEP and Lackawanna Energy Center, LLC of Chicago will be on hand to answer questions from the public.

The public hearing will follow immediately afterwards and will run from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.

The purpose of the hearing will be to take testimony regarding an application by Lackawanna Energy Center, LLC of Chicago, for an air quality plan approval to construct and operate a 1500-megawatt natural gas fired power plant.

The Department received the original plan approval application from Lackawanna Energy Center, LLC on June 11, 2014. A revised application was later submitted on November 3, 2014. Both editions of the application were published in the PA Bulletin and they notified the public of an opportunity to provide comments. In addition to those opportunities, the public hearing will allow for additional comments to be heard.

Concerned citizens may also submit written testimony by 4 p.m. on September 16, 2015. Those comments can be addressed to Mark Wejkszner, Air Quality Program Manager, DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18711.

A notice of the public hearing was published in the Scranton Times newspaper and the PA Bulletin on August 1, 2015.

A copy of the draft plan approval and application can be viewed at DEP’s Northeast Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre. Those wishing to make an appointment to view the documents can do so between the hours of 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. by calling 570-826-2511.

Individuals in need of an accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Colleen Connolly or make accommodations through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD).