PA Environment Digest Blog: Citizens Interested In Submitting Comments To DEP On Tenaska Natural Gas Power Plant's First Title V Air Quality Permit Invited To Oct. 29 Public Meeting In West Newton, Westmoreland County

On October 29, the Mountain Watershed Association, Environmental Health Project, Yough Communities, the Environmental Integrity Project invites residents interested in submitting comments to DEP on the Tenaska Natural Gas Power Plant's first Title V Air Quality Permit to a public meeting in West Newton, Westmoreland County.

The meeting will be held at The Huntingdon Place, 90 Supervisor Drive in West Newton starting at 6:30 p.m.

Background

Since July 2024, Tenaska’s Title V Operating Permit application has been undergoing technical review by the Department of Environmental Protection prior to the draft permit being published and available for public comment.

Title V Permits are legally enforceable documents designed to improve compliance by clarifying what facilities must do to control air pollution.

They help keep facilities in compliance with protective regulations, more robust oversight, and a stricter monitoring plan to help keep surrounding communities and the environment safe.

Draft Permit

On October 4th, 2025, the DEP published the draft permit and announced that they were opening the 30-day public comment period.

The draft permit lists emissions including 222.2 tons per day of nitrogen oxides, 92.2 tons per day of particulate matter, 193.8 tons per day of ammonia, and 3,724,826 tons per day of greenhouse gases.

Usually, DEP would also provide the opportunity for a public hearing where residents and stakeholders would be allowed to gather and voice their concerns.

However, at this time DEP has not scheduled a public hearing.

On October 8, the Mountain Watershed Association, Environmental Health Project, Yough Communities, the Environmental Integrity Project sent a letter to DEP requesting a hearing. Read more here.

Learn More/Submit Comments

The October 29 meeting is an opportunity for citizens to learn about the draft permit and how to write your public comment and submit your request for a public hearing.

Engineers and attorneys for the groups have reviewed the permit documents and developed technical and legal talking points to help guide your own testimony.

At the meeting, they will review these talking points and then provide you with time and support while you compose your comments.

Click Here to learn more about the meeting.

Can’t make it to the meeting? Contact Mountain Watershed Association for information on how to write your comment! (724) 455-4200 or send email to: em@mtwatershed.com.

Resource Links:

-- Environmental Groups, Citizens Request DEP To Hold Public Hearing On The First Title V Air Quality Permit For Tenaska Natural Gas Power Plant In Westmoreland County [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On An Air Quality Permit For The Tenaska PA Partners, LLC Natural Gas-Fired Power Plant In Westmoreland County [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Oct. 18 to 24: 14,280 Gallon Shale Gas Wastewater Spill; 2nd Major Spill By Conventional Well Owner; Failure To Address Pipeline Slope Failure For 1,440 Days [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - October 25 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 81 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In October 25 PA Bulletin [PaEN]