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Renovo Power Plant

EDWARD CULLEN

State College

In the Oct. 17, 2020 Pennsylvania Bulletin, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced its intention to approve the construction of a 1,240 MW electric power plant that would use natural gas and diesel fuel in Renovo, Pa. (http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pabulletin/data/vol50/50-42/50-42.pdf).

According to the information provided, yearly emissions from the facility would include up to 5 tons of formaldehyde, 20 tons of total combined hazardous air pollutants, 35 tons of sulfuric acid, 53 tons of sulfur oxides, 102 tons of volatile organic compounds, 212 tons of particulates (soot), 326 tons of carbon monoxide, 355 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 5,438,594 tons of greenhouse gases.

That’s a lot of unhealthy chemicals, soot and greenhouse gases.

The planned facility may comply with current EPA and Pennsylvania Department of Protection (DEP) requirements, but Pennsylvanians should have a say in decisions that affect our health and our children’s futures.

Building the plant could produce about 600 temporary jobs during construction, and about 30 full-time jobs after that, but will certainly have negative health effects for many.

A better plan would be to build a solar power facility instead.

Readers who wish to express their views on the plans can write before Nov. 16 to Muhammad Q. Zaman, Environmental Program Manager, Department of Environmental Protection, Air Qualify Program, Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street, Suite 101, Williamsport, Pa., 17701, or call (570) 327-3648.

Reference Permit Number 18-00033B (Renovo Energy Center, LLC).

You could also contact Gov. Tom Wolf, DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell, or your local elected members of the General Assembly.

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