The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee has scheduled a hearing on October 11 on the power generation and mine land reclamation benefits of waste coal-fired power plants.

The FY 2016-17 state budget included a new $7.5 million Coal Refuse Energy and Reclamation Tax Credit Program promoted by Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Committee.

Those expected to offer testimony during the hearing include John Stefanko, Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs at the Department of Environmental Protection; officials from The Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers Association, a non-profit trade association representing alternative energy plants; Mike Dziak, President and CEO of Earth Conservancy; Robert Hughes, Executive Director, Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation; and officials representing the Elixsys Group, a waste remediation company based in State College.

The hearing will be held in the Carbon County Commissioners Conference Room, Courthouse Annex Building, 2 Hazard Square, Third Floor in Jim Thorpe starting at 10:00 a.m.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov.   Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.

10/10/2016