Ten witnesses provided the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee with information this week on the current state of waste coal recycling and ideas for how to provide incentives for using more of the estimated 2.4 billion tons available in Pennsylvania.

The hearing was conducted by chair Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) along with Sen. Musto (D-Luzerne) and Sen. Stout (D-Washington).

One of the primary uses of coal waste today in Pennsylvania is as a fuel to generate electricity. In fact, ARIPPA testified that Pennsylvania has 14 of the 20 waste coal plants in the United States fueled by coal waste. These coal waste burners have recycled over 95 million tons of coal waste and reclaimed nearly 3,600 acres of abandoned mine lands.

ARIPPA recommended waste coal fired plants be included in any legislation setting renewable or advanced portfolio standards for electric generators because of the environmental benefits derived from using waste coal as fuel. They also recommended consideration of tax incentives for the use of waste coal and using waste coal in facilities owned by the Commonwealth.

Robert Dolence, Dolence Consulting, reported there are 819 unreclaimed waste coal sites in Pennsylvania covering over 8,529 acres that would required over $250 million of public funds to cleanup if they were not recycled.

With demand for energy increasing and prices with it, Dolence said diversifying energy sources beyond petroleum and natural gas is “not only a prudent approach to energy security, but necessary given the anticipated demand.” Waste coal should be included in any advanced energy portfolio standard with appropriate cost recovery mechanisms.

Several witnesses provided background on the new Beech Hollow waste coal fired generating plant being planned for Robinson Township, Washington County. The 300 megawatt facility will be constructed next to a 500 acre, 37.5 million ton pile of waste coal that will provide a 15 years supply of fuel for the plant.

In addition to reclaiming the waste coal pile next door, another 20 million tons of waste coal within a 10 mile radius of the plant will be used as well.

Beech Hollow project witnesses Garry Merrit, Joe Pezze and Jeffry Zick also supported including waste coal fired plants in any advance energy portfolio standard, along with using other more traditional economic development tools like Keystone Opportunity Zones and economic development agency funding to promote these projects.

James Seif, from PPL, provided comments supporting the inclusion of waste coal fired plants in an advanced portfolio standard for utilities, with appropriate cost recovery, and reviewed the utility’s involvement in promoting renewable energy generation projects.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty provided the Committee with an overview of DEP historic support for waste coal projects, including recently through the Energy Harvest Program, increasing purchases of electricity from “green energy” sources, and the reactivation of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority.

DEP is also supporting the inclusion of waste coal in its proposal to create an advanced portfolio standard for electric generators as a tier two green energy source, along with fuel cells powered by non-renewable fuels. Tier one sources would include more traditional renewables, coal-mine methane and energy efficiency projects.

The Raccoon Creek Watershed Association, United Mine Workers and the Washington County commissioners offered comments that were very supported of the use of waste coal.

NewsClips: Officials Ponder What to Do With Waste Coal

Scientists Call for Increased Use of Renewable Energy

9/10/2004