Environmental Integrity Project: DEP Made Changes To Permit For MarkWest Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant In Washington County To Reduce Air Emissions, Improve Accountability

On May 2, 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an Air Quality Plan Approval Permit covering changes to the MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources, LLC Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant in Smith Township, Washington County. 

The Air Quality Plan Approval authorizes the construction and temporary operation of air contamination sources and air cleaning devices associated with expansion of the plant to add a third cryogenic plant and a second de-ethanization plant.

Natural gas cryogenic plants take natural gas and cool it to sub-zero temperatures-- minus 120 degrees Fahrenheit-- in order to condense and separate out liquids like butane, ethane and propane from the gas.

These natural gas liquids are then shipped via pipeline to places like the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County to make plastics and through the Mariner East Pipelines to Southeast Pennsylvania as feedstock for other petrochemical plants and export.

After receiving extensive public comments from more than a dozen local residents, the Environmental Integrity Project, PennFuture, FracTracker Alliance, Earthworks, Moms Clean Air Force, and others, DEP made significant changes to the permit in response to those comments to reduce emissions and improve accountability at the plant.

Click Here for DEP's Comment/Response Document for the permit. 

Summary Of Changes

Lisa Widawsky Hallowell, lead attorney on this issue for the Environmental Integrity Project, provides this summary of the changes DEP made to the Harmon Creek Plant permit and other background information--

When MarkWest initially applied for the permit in January 2024, it estimated that the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the expanded facility would be greater than 50 tons per year, exceeding the major source threshold for this pollutant and triggering specific federal “major source” permitting requirements.  

In November 2024, MarkWest submitted a revised application incorporating two significant revisions: installation of the vapor recovery unit (VRU) (a system to capture and treat routine emissions so that they can be recycled rather than combusted) and an enhanced monitoring program and valve specifications to reduce emissions resulting from equipment leaks. 

The revised application estimated the annual potential to emit for VOCs at 48.33 tons per year, less than 2 tons per year below the major source threshold. 

DEP issued a draft permit for the plant expansion on February 10, 2025 classifying the plant as a synthetic minor source. 

This means that the plant’s potential VOC emissions remain below the major source threshold as long as specific conditions and restrictions, which must be included in the permit, are met. 

In this case, MarkWest is reducing emissions by incorporating the VRU (and therefore reducing potential throughput to the flare) and limiting emissions from equipment leaks by incorporating the enhanced monitoring requirements and valve specifications. 

EIP, PennFuture, FracTracker Alliance, Earthworks, Moms Clean Air Force, and more than a dozen local residents submitted comments on the draft permit. 

These comments resulted in several changes to the permit that will reduce pollution, including clear requirements for the enhanced leak detection and repair program for connectors and flanges, requiring low emissions specifications for new as well as existing valves, a new plant flare throughput limit, a new VOC emission limit from fugitive sources, and improved pollution reporting, recordkeeping, and monitoring requirements.   

DEP revised the permit to include a throughput limit for the plant flare, the largest source of VOC emissions at the site. 

This will ensure that the gases combusted in the flare do not exceed the potential maximum estimated by MarkWest.[RTC 44.2 (p 14); Final Permit p 37]  

DEP revised the permit to include a VOC limit specific to emissions from leaks at piping components, the VOC source most drastically reduced in MarkWest’s revised permit application. [RTC 49 (p 15-16); Final Permit p 31]  

To ensure that all valves above a certain size (one inch) meet enhanced specifications that will reduce emissions, DEP has added a requirement that not only new valves meet these “low-e” specifications, but also any replaced or reworked valves must meet those specifications. [RTC 55 (p 18-19); Final Permit p 33] 

To ensure that MarkWest will meet the enhanced piping component monitoring requirements, DEP revised the permit to require that MarkWest submit a Leak Detection and Repair plan that details monitoring methods, frequencies, and minimum durations between monitoring surveys. [RTC 63 (p 22); Final Permit p 33 

To ensure that the enhanced monitoring required by the permit results in the projected emission reductions from leaks at piping components, DEP revised the permit to include more frequent recordkeeping requirements for emissions from connectors and valves. [RTC 49 p 15-16; Final Permit p 31] 

Read DEP's Comment/Response Document for the permit for more on the comments and changes made.

Visit DEP’s MarkWest Harmon Creek Gas Processing Plant webpage for more information.

Washington County is known as the most “fracked” county in Pennsylvania with the most shale gas wells and related gas infrastructure.

It is also the epicenter of efforts by local residents and communities to better protect themselves from the health and environmental impacts of shale gas development.

Read the Resource Links below.

Resource Links - Harmon Creek Plant:

-- Washington County Resident To DEP: Harmon Creek Natural Gas Plant Expansion Will Result In A Huge Increase In Air Pollution, It Should Be Required To Have A Major Air Quality Permit, It Is Not A ‘Minor’ Source  [PaEN]

-- Community Speaks Out Against Expansion Of Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant In Washington County [PaEN]

-- Moms Clean Air Force To DEP: Families In Washington County Are Already Living In The Middle Of Major Natural Gas Industrial Sites - Do Not Expand The Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant And Make It Worse  [PaEN]

-- Center For Coalfield Justice To DEP: Harmon Natural Gas Processing Plant Should Be Required To Apply For A Full Title V Air Quality Permit As They Originally Proposed In Washington County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets March 11 Environmental Justice Office Hearing On Air Quality Permit For New Pollution Control Devices At Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant In Washington County  [PaEN]

Resource Links - Washington County:  [Just Read The Headlines]

-- Observer-Reporter: Explosion, Fire At Energy Transfer’s Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Plant Burned For Nearly 11 Hours On Christmas Day In Smith Twp., Washington County  [PaEN]

-- DEP Ongoing Explosion/Fire Investigation: Energy Transfer Reported An Uncontrolled Release Of Ethane For 9.5 Hours From Its Revolution Natural Gas Processing Plant In Washington County  [PaEN]

-- 3 Days That Shook Washington County: Natural Gas Plant Explosion; Pipeline Leak Of 1.1 Million Cubic Feet Of Gas; 10,000 Gallon Spill At Compressor Station  [PaEN]

-- Natural Gas Pipeline Pigging Facility Malfunction Dec. 27 Released 1.1 Million Cubic Feet Of Natural Gas; Same Facility Plagued Community With Blowdowns 3 Times A Day, 7 Days A Week For Nearly 10 Years Until Criminal Charges Brought Against CNX  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On New Air Pollution Permit For Revolution Natural Gas Cryogenic Processing Plant In Washington County; Plant Suffered Major Explosion, Fire In 2022  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Hearing Board Agrees There Is ‘Acute’ Danger In CNX Misusing A Deposition In An Appeal Before The Board To ‘Punish’ An Environmental Advocate For Her Advocacy Against CNX [PaEN]

-- Cecil Township Supervisors In Washington County Adopt 2,500 Setback From Shale Gas Well Pads From Homes, Businesses, 5,000 Foot Setback From Hospitals, Schools  [PaEN]

-- Range Resources And MarkWest Liberty Midstream File Legal Challenges To The 2,500 Foot Shale Gas Facility Setback Ordinance Adopted By Cecil Township, Washington County  [PaEN]

-- Cecil Twp. Zoning Hearing Board Dismisses Range Resources Validity Challenge To 2,500 Foot Setback Ordinance For Shale Gas Wells In Washington County  [PaEN]

-- Range Resources Proposes To Drill 2 New Shale Gas Wells In Cecil Township, Challenging Its 2,500 Foot Setback Ordinance In Washington County [PaEN]

-- Environmental Health Project: Lois Bower-Bjornson Shares Her First-Hand Experiences With Shale Gas Health, Environmental Impacts In Washington County [PaEN]

-- On Feb. 13 Dept. Of Health, Penn State Project ECHO Held A Webinar To Educate Medical Professionals, Public On Exposures To Natural Gas Facility Pollution; Real Washington County CNX Facility Case Study Used  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Hearing Board Denies EQT Shale Gas Motion To Exclude Evidence Of Medical Conditions, Toxicology Reports Related To A Landowner Appeal Of A DEP Water Supply Contamination Determination  [PaEN]

-- Washington County Judge Rules Sunoco Pipeline Did Not Have Eminent Domain Authority To Take Property For Mariner East Pipelines In Landowner Lawsuit Alleging Fraud  [PaEN]

-- Shell Falcon Pipeline LP Pleads No Contest To Criminal Charges For Violating The State Clean Streams Law In Allegheny, Beaver, Washington Counties; Will Pay $300,000 In Penalties  [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - June 28 to July 4 - 30+ Days Of Cleanup Continues At Shale Gas Pad;  Failure To Comply With Plugging Order For 67 Months;  Failure To Install E&S Controls For 68 Months  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Active Wastewater Spill Remediation Efforts Have Continued For 30+ Days At The Seneca Resources Vandergrift Shale Gas Well Pad In Charleston Twp., Tioga County [PaEN] 

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - July 5 [PaEN]  

-- DEP Posted 65 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In July 5 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]  

Related Articles This Week:

-- Environmental Hearing Board Denies Request To End Appeal Of Catalyst Energy, Inc. Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well Permit In McKean County  [PaEN] 

-- CNX Resources Challenges Environmental Hearing Board Authority To Add Conditions To Permits For Shale Gas Wells At The Drakulic Well Pad In Penn Twp., Westmoreland County  [PaEN] 

-- Warren Times Editorial: Pennsylvania Needs A New Plan For Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells; Increasing Bond Amounts Only Part Of Solution  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Adds McKean County Workshop To Promote $100/Well Bounty To Find Previously Unknown Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Their Owners; Workshops Set In Clarion, Crawford, Mercer Counties  [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: The Real Story Behind The Act 13 Shale Gas Drilling Impact Fee - It's Not Funding, It's Cleanup Money - By Mary Jo Simmen-Gray, Hempfield, Westmoreland County Resident  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental Integrity Project: DEP Made Changes To Permit For MarkWest Harmon Creek Natural Gas Processing Plant In Washington County To Reduce Air Emissions, Improve Accountability  [PaEN]  

-- Environmental Health Project To Launch Compounds Of Concern Online Tool During July 16 Webinar  [PaEN] 

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Launches New Faith & Fossil Fuels Initiative; Invites Congregations, Individuals To Share Your Lived Experiences With Pollution  [PaEN]

-- PUC Approves $750,000 Penalty Against UGI Utilities For 2020 Natural Gas Main Eruption In Monroe County Killing 1 Person  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Seeks $395,000 Penalty Against UGI Utilities For 2022 Natural Gas House Explosion In Suburban Harrisburg; $50,000 Penalty Against Contractor  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Interconnection Grid Operator Issues Hot Weather Alert For July 6 In Its Western Region, July 7 In Its Mid-Atlantic & Southern Regions, Including Areas In PA  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Commonwealth Court Rules Elizabeth Twp., In Allegheny County Violated Its Own Zoning Ordinance To Allow Shale Gas Well Pad, Pipeline To Be Built In A Residential Area 

-- TribLive: Residents Ask Upper Burrell Twp. To Adopt More Stringent Rules For Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Wells In Westmoreland County

-- Observer-Reporter: EQT Shale Gas Driller Sues Morgan Twp., Greene County In Federal Court Over Limits On Heavy Equipment Hauling On Local Roads To Prevent Damage  [PDF of Article] 

-- WNEP: Lithium On Oil & Gas Wastewater Gives Legislators Hope For Another ‘Boom’ In Susquehanna County’s Economy

-- PennLive: PUC Files Complaints Against UGI, Plumber For 2022 Dauphin County House Explosion

-- MCall - Anthony Salamone: UGI Fined For Christmas Day 2020 Natural Gas Leak That Killed 1 Person

-- KYW: Deadly Explosion In Philadelphia’s Nicetown Neighborhood Could Be Natural Gas-Fueled, Source Says 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Natural Gas Leak Results In Power Being Cut To Much Of Downtown Wilkes-Barre, Turning Off Street Lights Throughout The City

-- WHYY: PUC Judge Denies Philadelphia Gas Works Request For Internal Emails, Texts, Memos From Climate Groups Participating In Its Rate Case, It Would Violate The First Amendment 

-- Spotlight PA: Costs Of Amazon’s $20 Billion Promise To Build Data Centers In PA Unknown: Impact On Electricity Supply, Power Costs To Consumers, Tax Revenue Forfeit 

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Summer’s Triple Threat - Energy Bills Rising, Grids Straining, Help Shrinking - By Destenie Nock, Peoples Energy Analytics  

-- EPA To Open Public Comment Docket, Host Listening Sessions On Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Implementation  

-- Reuters: US Energy Firms Eye New Northeast Natural Gas Pipelines, Buoyed By President, Demand Outlook

-- Bloomberg: Electronic Warfare During Iran Strikes Crashes Global Shipping’s Navigation System, Including Oil, LNG Natural Gas Ships

[Posted: July 1, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

Solar Business Owners: PA Will Lose $156 Million If PA Senate, House Fail To Unlock Solar For All Funding

On July 1, advocates from Solar United Neighbors Action (SUN Action) and solar business owners are calling attention to another important deadline for Pennsylvania legislators as they keep working toward a budget resolution. 

[A provision in the state Fiscal Code bill passed with the FY 2024-25 state budget last year prohibits the expenditure of Solar for All federal funds in Pennsylvania until specific legislation is passed to authorize the program. Read more here.

[Pennsylvania’s legislators have until a final state budget agreement to unlock millions in funding so that their constituents may tap into homegrown solar energy to cut energy costs.]

[House Bill 362 (Fiedler-D- Philadelphia) that would make the necessary changes is still in the House Appropriations Committee.  Read more here.

[But, legislative language to unlock the funding could be put in the final state Fiscal Code as part of the budget settlement.]

All $156 million in federal Solar For All funds allocated to Pennsylvania wil sunset on September 1 if not used. 

This program would help consumers throughout the Commonwealth save money on their electric bills, but legislative approval to release the funds was made a requirement in the 2024 budget agreement. 

"We appreciate that our General Assembly will be working through July to finish the Pennsylvania budget and urge them to also ensure the release of $156 million in funding that could help income-eligible Pennsylvanians save money on their energy bills,” said SUN Action Pennsylvania Program Director Monica Carey. “The Solar For All program would additionally create new jobs across the Commonwealth and help build a more reliable and resilient power grid, benefits we cannot afford to pass up.  The clock to September 1 is ticking.”

“It is equally critical that the mechanism to release Solar For All funding preserves net metering,” explained Carey.  “Net metering is a policy which makes it possible for Pennsylvanians to be able to afford to go solar and underpins our commonwealth’s entire solar industry. Our economy would suffer without it.” 

The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar For All program provides financial incentives and support for solar installations, covering the costs of installing solar panels to benefit income-limited residents of rural, urban, and suburban regions of the commonwealth. 

If authorized, it would expand solar access to more than 12,500 households across Pennsylvania without any new cost to taxpayers or utility ratepayers. 

Pennsylvanians who go solar will lower their electricity bills by an average of 20%, and total savings would add up to more than $468 million over the next 25 years. 

“Electric utility bills are currently draining the pockets of Pennsylvania families and in turn, draining the local economy.  Solar For All will invest funds into local communities and build strong economies where our families can thrive,” said Richard Flarend, owner of Groundhog Solar, LLC in Altoona. 

Along with benefits for homeowners and ratepayers, establishing the Solar for All program in Pennsylvania would prompt the creation of new jobs, expand clean energy workforce training, and drive local economic growth for small businesses. 

Unlocking these funds is critical for the nearly 4,300 Pennsylvanians working in the solar industry, along with the 500 in-state companies in Pennsylvania that manufacture, install, and support other elements of solar energy production. 

"Solar For All funding has already been allocated by the federal government and is sitting in limbo here in Pennsylvania, while 49 other states are putting it to good use. Leaving Solar For All funding on the table is a missed opportunity for the Commonwealth,” said Doug Edwards, owner of Newtown-based Exact Solar. “This funding would allow Exact Solar to hire people in our community, create more local jobs, and lower energy bills for our fellow Pennsylvanians." 

If the legislature fails to act in time, thousands of households will miss out on the powerful financial relief provided by Solar For All, and Pennsylvania will forgo an opportunity to create family-sustaining jobs. 

“We urge legislators to act in the interests of their constituents and make the funding owed to Pennsylvanians available, while opposing utility efforts to kill net metering and prevent ratepayer savings,” said Carey. “Solar For All will provide critical resources to make solar energy and necessary home repairs affordable and accessible to Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.”

NewsClips:

-- TribLive/AP: US Senate Republican Tax Bill Could Crush Wind, Solar Power, Advocates Say

-- Wall Street Journal: US Senate Budget Bill Stuns Clean Energy Industry With New Tax On Wind And Solar Energy

[Posted: July 1, 2025]  PA Environment Digest