Home / Environment / PA Coal Mine Permit: Locals Fear Water Pollution
PA Coal Mine Permit: Locals Fear Water Pollution
28 Jun
Summary
- Public comment ends June 30 on draft permit for LCT Energy's coal mine.
- Concerns include water pollution, wetland destruction, and subsidence risks.
- Mine water discharge could harm coldwater fisheries and aquatic life.
Pennsylvania regulators are currently considering a draft discharge permit for LCT Energy's proposed Rustic Ridge II coal mine. The public has until June 30, 2026, to submit comments on the proposal, which would allow treated minewater to enter headwater streams leading to Jacobs Creek, a trout-stocked waterway in Westmoreland County.
Critics voice significant concerns about the potential environmental impact. They highlight that treated minewater may still contain pollutants and that the project necessitates the destruction of over 1,700 feet of stream and half an acre of wetland. Furthermore, the water's temperature could adversely affect the coldwater fisheries. LCT Energy's prior mining operations have also raised alarms due to documented instances of underground subsidence damaging nearby homes.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is accepting feedback on the draft permit. While the permit includes mitigation measures like settling ponds for minewater treatment, environmental advocates question their effectiveness in preventing harm to sensitive ecosystems. Public input is crucial for shaping permit conditions and ensuring adequate monitoring and enforcement.
