DEP To Hold Virtual Hearings On Proposed Expansions Of 3 Deep Coal Mines In Greene County

On August 17, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold three virtual informal public conferences to discuss major permit modification applications it is currently reviewing, submitted by Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC on the expansion of  underground bituminous coal mines in Greene County.

DEP representatives will provide information on the permit review process, display onscreen maps of the existing mining permit boundaries and proposed expansions, discuss the proposed activity, and answer attendees’ questions.

Hearings

Each virtual informal public conference will begin at 6:00 p.m. using the Webex platform-- 

-- Bailey Mine and Prep Plant (permit # 30841316) – August 24, 2022:  Consol is proposing to expand its Coal Mining Activities Permit (CMAP) and underground subsidence control plan by adding 684.5 acres for development-only mining in Aleppo Township, Greene County. 

-- Enlow Fork Mine (permit # 30841317) – September 7, 2022:  Consol is proposing to expand its CMAP and underground subsidence control plan by adding 3,088 acres for development-only mining in Morris and Washington townships, Greene County. 

-- Harvey Mine (permit # 30121301) – September 8, 2022:  Consol is proposing to expand its CMAP and underground subsidence control plan by adding 3,744 acres for development-only mining in Franklin, Morris and Center townships, Greene County.

Individuals who want to participate or have questions should contact DEP Southwest Region Community Relations Coordinator Lauren Fraley at lfraley@pa.gov or 412-442-4203 at least 24 hours in advance to register. 

Registrants must provide first name, last name, phone number, and email address. 

For individuals who only wish to listen, access information is posted to DEP’s calendar of events.

For DEP to allow the greatest number of people to participate, verbal comments and questions will be limited to three minutes for each person. DEP requests that organizations designate one spokesperson to present testimony on their behalf. 

The public will not be permitted to perform video demonstrations and screen sharing and DEP will not display materials provided by the public, but DEP welcomes submittal of written comments and supplemental materials in advance of the conference. 

Written comments may be submitted to DEP, California District Mining Operations at the address above or by email to Bonnie Herbert at bherbert@pa.gov.   

Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Bonnie Herbert at 724-769-1100 or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at 800-654-5984 (TDD) or 800-654-5988 (voice users) to discuss how the DEP may accommodate their needs.

Related Articles:

-- DEP Hosts Aug. 24 Virtual Hearing On Consol Bailey Coal Mine Expansion In Greene County  [PaEN]

--  DEP Sets Virtual Hearings On Consol Harvey Mine, Enlow Fork Underground Coal Mine Expansions In Greene County  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 17, 2022]  PA Environment Digest