The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 30 PA Bulletin proposing a substantive revision to the Alkaline Addition For Surface Coal Mines Technical Guidance.

This guidance explains the situations where alkaline addition at surface coal mine sites is appropriate and describes the options and procedures for operators to maintain and achieve compliance with environmental protection standards including calculation of application rates and placement of alkaline material.

The existing technical guidance has not been updated since 1997. The Department's experience in issuing permits with alkaline addition over the last 20 years has led to this update.

Three areas of focus are: 1) best practices regarding location and mixing of the alkaline material; 2) use of coal ash and coproducts/general permits for alkaline addition; and 3) updating the process of determining target net neutralization potential required for a site.

Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft guidance by April 29. All comments, including comments submitted by email must include the originator's name and address.

Click Here for a copy of the draft revision.

Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment tool or by email to: ecomment@pa.gov.  Written comments can also be submitted to the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

Questions should be directed to Greg Greenfield by email to: grgreenfie@pa.gov or 717-787-3174.

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