DEP To Hold Oct. 14 Meeting/Hearing On Major Amendment To Water Quality Permit For Homer City Data Center/Power Plant Complex In Indiana County; Stormwater Permit Issued

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 12 PA Bulletin announcing an October 14 public meeting and hearing on a major amendment to the NPDES water quality permit related to the Homer City Data Center/Power Plant Complex in Center Township, Indiana County.  (PA Bulletin, page 6105)

The meeting/hearing will be held at the Homer Center High School Auditorium, 70 Wildcat Lane, Homer City from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. 

Representatives from the Department’s Clean Water Program will be in attendance.

There will be a community meeting preceding the hearing.  This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions of DEP staff, before giving formal testimony during the hearing. 

The meeting will conclude at 6:00 p.m. and the hearing will begin. 

The hearing will conclude when all testimony has been given or at 7:30 p.m., whichever comes first.

Individuals who wish to present testimony at the public hearing must contact Fernando Treviño Special Deputy Secretary, at ftrevinoma@pa.gov or 717-783-7753 a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the hearing to reserve a time to present testimony.

Individuals providing testimony are requested to submit a written copy of their verbal testimony by e-mail to RA-EPNPDES_NWRO@pa.gov  after providing testimony at the hearing. 

In addition to oral testimony, written testimony of any length may be provided to DEP at the hearing or sent via email to RA-EPNPDES_NWRO@pa.gov no later than midnight, October 14, 2026.

The Application

The application is for a major amendment to the Homer City Generating Station’s NPDES Permit, PA0005037A-2.

The draft of the NPDES permit amendment was published on July 11, 2026.  (PA Bulletin, page 4163)

The amendment proposes to modify the industrial waste discharges from Outfall 027. The receiving stream of Outfall 027 is Blacklick Creek, which is in State Water Plan watershed 18-D and is classified for Trout Stocking Fishery, aquatic life, water supply and recreation. 

The discharge is not expected to affect public water supplies.

The NPDES permit application and draft permit documentations are available for review on the DEP's Homer City Generation Site Redevelopment webpage. 

The application is being reviewed by the DEP Northwest Regional Office Clean Water Program, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335-3481, 814-332-6945. Send email to: RA-EPNPDES_NWRO@pa.gov. 

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information.  (PA Bulletin, page 6105)

Stormwater Permit Issued

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the September 12 PA Bulletin that the Indiana County Conservation District has issued a PAG-02 General Stormwater Construction permit to Homer City Generation, LP for the Homer City Data Center/Power Plant Complex in Blacklick and Center Townships in Indiana County. (PA Bulletin, page 6086)

Persons aggrieved by this decision have 30 days from this notice to file an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website.  Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

(Photo: TribLive.com Homer City Data Center/Power Plant construction site.)

NewsClips:

-- WTAE: Homer City Data Center Power Plant Worker Says He Was Fired After 100-Worker Walkout Over Contract Dispute In Indiana County

-- TribLive: Local Businesses Brace For Loss Of Business From Moving Gigantic Cargo To Homer City Data Center/ Power Plant Complex In Indiana County

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[Posted: September 11, 2026]  PA Environment Digest