DEP Sets Aug. 20 Informal Conference [Open House/Hearing] On A New LCT Energy, LP Rustic Ridge II Bituminous Underground Coal Mine In Westmoreland County

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold an informal public conference [open house/hearing] August 20 to take comments on four permit applications for a new LCT Energy, LP Rustic Ridge II bituminous underground coal mine in Donegal and Mt. Pleasant Townships, Westmoreland County.  (PA Bulletin, page 5201)

DEP has received these applications from LCT Energy--

-- Coal Mining Activity Permit - No. 65221302

-- National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit Water Quality Permit No. PA0236641

-- Water and Obstruction Encroachment General Permits: GP-4 (Intake and Outfall Structures) and GP-7 (Minor Road Crossing)

-- Air Quality General Permit GP-12 for Fugitive Dust Sources and Diesel Fired Internal Combustion Engines at Coal and Coal Refuse Preparations Plants permits

DEP will hold the informal public conference in an open house format at St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish, 170 School House Lane, Donegal, PA 15628 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Department staff will be available to answer general questions on all four permit applications and receive both written and oral testimony regarding the applications.

The DEP California District Mining Office will accept public comments on the applications until September 4.

Copies of the applications are on file for public review by appointment at Department of Environmental Protection, District Mining Operations, California District Office, 25 Technology Drive, California Technology Park, Coal Center, PA 15423 and Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds, 40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 420, Greensburg, PA 15601. 

Please call or email Lori Jenkins at 724-769-1023 or lorjenkins@pa.gov to inquire about electronic application review options or with other questions.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information.  (PA Bulletin, page 5201)

Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine

In June, DEP issued a permit for a 1,425- acre expansion of LCT Energy, LP’s Rustic Ridge #1 coal mine in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County and Saltlick Township, Fayette County.

On June 30, the Mountain Watershed Association announced it has filed an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board challenging DEP’s permit raising significant concerns regarding potential impacts on groundwater supplies, acid mine drainage pollution, and possible damage to local streams and wildlife [EHB Docket # 2025076].  Read more here.

In a related action, on March 22, 2024, Mountain Watershed Association filed an appeal of another DEP decision to reject an unsuitable for surface coal mining petition covering the Rustic Ridge #1 mine expansion. [EHB Docket # 2024077]  The appeal is still pending

On January 22, 2024, the Mountain Watershed Association submitted a petition to declare almost 11,000 acres unsuitable for surface coal mining in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County.  Read more here.

Resource Links:

-- Mountain Watershed Association Files EHB Appeal Of DEP's Approval Of The 1,452 Acre Expansion of the Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine In Fayette, Westmoreland Counties [PaEN] 

-- Mountain Watershed Assn. Files Petition To Designate Parts Of Donegal Township Unsuitable For Coal Mining In Westmoreland County [PaEN] 

[Posted: August 1, 2025]  PA Environment Digest