The Department of Environmental Protection will hold an open house and public hearing on August 15, to answer questions and accept testimony regarding a proposal for the closure of the Little Blue Run Coal Combustion Waste Impoundment in Greene Township, Beaver County.

The open house will begin at 6 p.m. at the Hookstown Volunteer Fire Department Hall, 120 Silver Slipper Road, Hookstown. The open house will be followed immediately at 7 p.m. by the public hearing.

FirstEnergy Generation LLC is proposing to revise its Solid Waste Management permit for the facility.

The 976-acre Little Blue Run Impoundment is located south of the Ohio River on the Pennsylvania/West Virginia border and is used for the disposal of coal combustion waste from the Bruce Mansfield power plant operated by First Energy.

Monitoring has revealed degradation of groundwater that can be attributed to the impoundment. As a result, FirstEnergy entered into a consent decree with DEP, which sets a deadline of December 31, 2016 for the end of waste disposal at the impoundment.

FirstEnergy has submitted an application that includes the require closure plan.  The application was accepted by DEP for technical review on June 20, 2013.

During the open house portion of the evening, FirstEnergy representatives will be available to describe the proposed closure plan. DEP’s Waste Management staff will explain the permitting process.

At 7 p.m., the public will have the opportunity to present formal testimony for the public record. Those wishing to present testimony should submit written notice to Michael Forbeck, Regional Manager, Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 on or before Aug. 2, or they can sign up at the door on the night of the hearing.

For anyone unable to attend the public hearing, written comment should be submitted to Forbeck at the above address before September 16, 2013.

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.

For more information call 412-442-4000.

8/12/2013