The Department of Environmental Protection has announced plans for a formal hearing on the proposed Hickory Run Energy (HRE), LLC plan to construct a natural gas-fired electric generation plant to be located in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County.

The Hearing will take place April 3 at the North Beaver Volunteer Fire Department in North Beaver Township, 969 Mount Jackson Road, New Castle. The Hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and will conclude after all testimony has been received, but no later than 9:00 p.m.

During the hearing, the Department will accept and record testimony concerning HRE’s application. 

Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should contact DEP Community Relations Coordinator Gary Clark by calling 814-332-6615, at least one week in advance of the hearing to reserve a time to present testimony. 

Oral testimony during the hearing will be limited to a maximum of five minutes and three written copies of the oral testimony, together with exhibits, are required.  Organizations are encouraged to designate one witness to present testimony on behalf of the organization. 

The hearing is to provide testimony with regards to Hickory Run Energy’s (HRE) plan approval application to construct a natural gas-fired electric generation facility that is designed to generate up to 900 Megawatts, using two combustion turbine generators and two heat recovery steam generators that will provide steam to drive a steam turbine generator.

Persons unable to attend the hearing may submit three copies of a written statement and exhibits within 10 days thereafter to the Department in care of Regional Air Quality Program Manager, Department of Environmental Protection, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA  16335.  

Written submittals must contain name, address and telephone number of the person submitting the comments, identification of the proposed plan approval [37-337A] and a concise statement regarding the relevancy of the information or objections to the issuance of the permit.

“Public Hearings are an important part of the permitting process”, said DEP Northwest Regional Director Kelly Burch. “This is an opportunity for the general public to testify on the official record.”

All testimony and comments on the application and draft plan approval must be submitted to the Department by April 15. 

3/25/2013