The Sierra Club-PA and the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, represented by PennFuture and the Law Office of Howard Crystal, filed a settlement Wednesday with the Department of Environmental Protection that will require DEP to update the water quality discharge permits for 10 coal-fired power plants by March 2019.

Each of the ten plants had been operating with expired water permits.

The power plants include Cheswick Generating Station, Brunner Island, Montour Steam Electric Station, Keystone Generating Station, Ebensburg Power Company, Conemaugh Generating Station, Homer City Generating Station, Cambria Cogen Company, Bruce Mansfield Generating Station and Colver Power Plan.

“We applaud the DEP for stepping up and doing the right thing for the people of Pennsylvania by updating these water permits,” Patrick Genter, Senior Campaign Representative for the Chesapeake Bay at the Sierra Club said. “Not only does this mean cleaner and safer drinking water for communities, but also a healthier environment, which can lead to increased recreational opportunities for fishermen and all those who enjoy our waterways.”

"When a Commonwealth does not follow its own laws, and the laws of our nation, it's a sad and dangerous time for us all. The Clean Water Act needs to be protected and enforced. Recognizing that there is a timetable for pollutant reduction on the table for all of these facilities is a step in the right direction,” Ted Evgeniadis with Lower Susquehanna RIVERKEEPER said.

“If pollutant reductions for these facilities, especially Brunner Island, were to be delayed into 2022 or even 2023, citizens of PA, users of the Susquehanna River and aquatic species would all continue to suffer,” said Evgeniadis.  “The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association will continue to work with Sierra Club, PennFuture, and PA DEP to make certain these permits are drafted and finalized according to the timetable presented."

Click Here for a copy of the settlement.  Click Here for the complete announcement.

NewsClip:

Frazier: Settlement Requires Coal-Fired Power Plants To Get Updated Water Permits

[Posted: Jan. 11, 2018]

1/15/2018