June 20 Meeting, Hearing On Changes To Air Permit For Lackawanna Gas Power Plant

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it will host a public meeting and hearing on revisions to an air quality plan approval for Lackawanna Energy Center, LLC on June 20 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Valley View High School, in Archbald

The company is proposing to build and operate a 1500-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in the Borough of Jessup, Lackawanna County.

Lackawanna Energy Center submitted a plan approval application on February 24, 2016, to revise the layout of the plant to include three smaller steam turbines and three smaller air-cooled condensers in place of the originally planned single steam generator and single air-cooled condenser.

The steam turbines and air-cooled condensers are not air emission sources, therefore, this plan approval application does not change any emission limits imposed under the previously issued plan approval in December 2015.

The purpose of the meeting will be to describe and answer questions from the public about the proposed reconfiguration of the steam turbines and air cooled condensers. Immediately following the meeting, a public hearing will be held to take testimony.

A public notice for the receipt of plan approval application appeared in the PA Bulletin on March 12, 2016. A public notice for the intent to issue the plan approval and public meeting/hearing will appear in the PA Bulletin on May 14, 2016.

Concerned citizens who wish to ask questions or offer testimony at the meeting and hearing can pre-register by notifying Colleen Connolly, Community Relations Coordinator by sending email to: coconnolly@pa.gov.

Citizens may also submit written testimony by 4 p.m. on July 1. Those comments can be addressed to Mark Wejkszner, Air Quality Program Manager, DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711; or by email to: mwejkszner@pa.gov.

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. and 4 p.m. by calling 570-826-2511.