DEP To Hold June 16 Hearing On Water Quality Permit For Rustic Ridge II Coal Mining Permit In Westmoreland County

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 2 PA Bulletin announcing a June 16 hearing on a Water Quality Permit for the LCT Energy, LP Rustic Ridge II coal mine in Donegal and Mt. Pleasant Townships, Westmoreland County.  (PA Bulletin, page 2452)

The hearing will be held at St. Raymond of the Mountains Parish, 170 School House Lane in Donegal starting at 6:00 p.m.

The hearing is being held at the request of multiple citizens and Mountain Watershed Association who indicated concerns about the quality of the water proposed to be discharged, impacts on local drinking water and local ecosystems. 

Individuals interested in providing testimony should contact Laina Aquiline by email at laquiline@pa.gov or by calling 412-442-4311 at least 24 hours before the hearing. 

Additional written comments are due to DEP by June 30.

Copies of the application, fact sheet and related documents are on file for public review by appointment at Department of Environmental Protection, District Mining Operations, California District Mining Office, 25 Technology Drive, California Technology Park, Coal Center, PA 15423. 

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

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information. (PA Bulletin, page 2452)

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.

Resource Links:

-- Inquirer - Andrew Seidman: How LCT Energy’s Rustic Ridge Coal Mine In Westmoreland County Won Over Harrisburg, Shapiro Administration, Now In Fight With Local Environmental Group  [PaEN] 

-- 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   [PaEN] 

-- Mountain Watershed Association Appeals 90% Reduction In Mine Subsidence Damage Bond For Rustic Ridge Coal Mine In Westmoreland, Fayette Counties From $3.1 Million To $292,679   [PaEN] 

-- Mountain Watershed Assn., LCT Energy Reach Agreement On Stronger Protections For Watershed While EHB Appeal Of Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine Expansion In Fayette, Westmoreland Counties Moves Forward   [PaEN] 

-- 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] 

[Posted: May 1, 2026]  PA Environment Digest