Waste-coal energy debate will continue
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New jobs vs. harmful emissions was debated during the first public meeting on a proposed power plant fueled by waste coal near the border of Allegheny and Washington counties.
Read health and science reporter David Templeton's May 3 story, "Debate rages over plan to build power plant in Washington County"
Because of the regional significance of the project, additional public meetings on the Beech Hollow Energy Project in Robinson will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday and May 17 in Fort Cherry High School auditorium. Both meetings will adjourn by 11 p.m.
Robinson Power Co., owned by the Ray Bologna Sr. family, proposes to build a 272-net-megawatt electrical power generator, fueled by waste coal, along with facilities for power transmission, coal mining and fly ash disposal. A business park could be built eventually.
The waste coal-fired power plant would encompass 777 acres bordered by Route 22, Route 980 and Candor and Beech Hollow roads.
The land, owned by the Bolognas' Champion Processing Inc., holds about 38 million tons of waste coal, left from former coal processing, which would be burned on-site to generate electricity.
About 150 people attended the initial meeting April 27, including project supporter Raymond Ventrone, business manager of the Boilermakers Local 154.
"I have 1,400 reasons why I want this plant built: my members," he said.
Mr. Bologna said the power plant would employ 90 union workers permanently. Construction would create 700 temporary jobs, he said.
Cathy Donne, of Oakdale, opposed the project, saying emissions would add mercury and other toxins to air that's already polluted.
"This decision is not just about jobs, it's about health first," she said.
Carmine Gagliardi, a Robinson Power consultant, said a limestone boiler would reduce emissions and a baghouse would collect fly ash, while enclosed conveyor belts and a storage barn with filters would control dust.
Mr. Bologna hoped the plant would begin operating in 2010, and he anticipated developing some of the land as Robinson Commerce Park eight or nine years later.
Fly ash, a potentially harmful byproduct of burning waste coal, would be hardened into cement-like clay and placed into the ground, said Robinson Power consultant Barry Scheetz, a professor of civil and environmental engineering specializing in fly ash management.
The resulting surfaces would be strong enough to support buildings, Dr. Scheetz said.
John M. Zeno, of Robinson, who works in the power generation industry, said burning the gob piles would clean up the land and make it viable for industrial or commercial development, which would expand the township's tax base.
Luke Darragh, of the planning commission, said Robinson Power's applications lacked key documents, including a site plan, and called on the company to submit additional information. "[We were] a little dumbfounded as to the inadequacy," he said.
After considering community input, the planning commission has to advise the township supervisors whether to deny or approve, either with or without conditions, Robinson Power's land development proposal and application for a conditional use permit, said lawyer Donald Graham, special counsel to the township.
The commission is expected to make a recommendation before a series of public hearings with supervisors, scheduled for June 8, July 20 and July 27, he said.
First Published May 7, 2006 12:00 am
