The Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting and hearing on June 27, about EME Homer City Generation’s proposal to increase its permitted discharge of wastewater.

An informational meeting to explain the need for the amended permit will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Homer-Center High School on Wildcat Lane in Homer City, Indiana County.

“This combined public meeting and hearing will give residents an opportunity to hear about the proposal, ask questions and, if they wish, provide testimony,” DEP Southwest Regional Director Susan Malone said.

DEP is reviewing an application with amendments to the facility’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that would accommodate additional flow from treated landfill leachate, which is most of the wastewater associated with landfill activities; cooling tower blowdown, or water drained from the plant’s cooling towers; and makeup water, which is water needed to replace cooling water that has evaporated.

During the meeting, DEP staff will explain the agency’s role in reviewing such applications, and representatives from EME will explain the company’s proposal. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the public may present up to five minutes of oral testimony about the proposed NPDES permit amendment. Written testimony of any length will also be accepted. The oral testimony will be recorded by a stenographer and transcribed into a written document.

At the end of the 30-day public comment period, DEP will develop a written response to all relevant written and oral testimony. The final NPDES permit amendment, if issued, will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

DEP recently approved EME’s plan to install two dry scrubber systems on Units 1 and 2 of the plant.

Those who wish to present oral testimony should contact DEP Community Relations Coordinator John Poister at 412-442-4203 or register that evening prior to the hearing.

For anyone unable to attend the public hearing, written comment should be submitted to Dana Drake, PA DEP Clean Water Program, Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The public comment period will close on July 7.

Individuals in need of an accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact John Poister or make accommodations through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD).

For more information, call 412-442-4000. 

6/18/2012