The Warren County Environmental Commission (WCEC) will be holding a public meeting on April 10 th at 7 pm at the Belvidere High School to discuss the proposed expansions of the Martins Creek and Portland Power Plants and provide an update on the Commission’s efforts to force these plants to clean up their existing facilities before they expand. The WCEC has enlisted the support of several environmental activist groups including the Clean Air Task Force, Clean Air Council and PIRG and many of our Local, State and Federal political leaders.

The WCEC is also pleased to announce, that in response to overwhelming public concern, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) will be holding a public hearing for the proposed expansion of The Martins Creek Power Plant in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. This hearing will be held on April 17 th at 7 pm at Nazareth High School in Nazareth, PA. A copy of the PADEP Public Hearing Notice is found below. Testimony by all interested parties will be limited to 10 minutes each and a written notice of intent to testify is requested by the PADEP. In order to assure that all topics of concern are covered, the WCEC also requests that anyone interested in speaking also send a copy of their notice to the Commission.

Lower Mount Bethel Energy, LLC has proposed the addition of two new gas powered generators and a cooling tower to the existing power plant at Martins Creek. Although PP&L had record profits last year, the current plans do not include any improvements to their existing generators. This plant is located on the Delaware River, directly across from Warren County. PP&L currently operates two coal-fired boilers and two oil-fired boilers at this facility. In 1999, this power plant discharged 19,529 tons of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) into the air over Warren County.

In addition, Reliant Energy of Houston, Texas recently submitted plans to add two new generators to the Portland Power Plant in Upper Mount Bethel Portland, PA. As with the PP&L proposal, Reliant Energy does not plan to make any improvements to their existing facility. This plant is also located on the Delaware River, approximately 8 miles north of the Martins Creek Plant. In, 1999 this power coal powered plant discharged 26,321 tons of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) into the air over Warren County.

Largely due to the pollution from these two plants, the USEPA and NJDEP have designated a portion of southwestern Warren County as the only “Non-Attainment Area” for Sulfur Dioxide in New Jersey. This means that the air quality does not meet Federal Health or Welfare Standards. The plant also discharges large amounts of Nitrogen Oxide, Mercury and Particulate Matter into the air and is within a Non-Attainment Area for Ozone. High levels of SO2 in the air leads to higher rates of respiratory illness and aggravates existing lung diseases, especially bronchitis. Those facing the greatest health risks include elderly people, people with respiratory disease and young children.

Although growth in the energy industry is needed to meet demand and limit cost to consumers, the health and well being of the public should not be compromised. It is the contention of the WCEC that before any additions to the Martins Creek or Portland Power Plants are constructed, emissions from the existing facilities should be reduced by retrofitting their stacks with the best available pollution control technology. It has been estimated that these improvements could cut the pollution from these plants by as much as 75%. In this way, not only will PP&L and Reliant Energy profit from this proposed project, but so will the citizens of the surrounding communities.

We encourage the citizens of Warren County to become active in this matter and inform the Pennsylvania DEP of their concerns over the existing pollution from these plants. We hope that you will join us on April 10 th in our efforts to improve the quality of the air we breathe. If you have any questions regarding this issue, please feel free to contact commission member George White at (908) 387-1501.

	PENNSYLVANIA BULLETIN Volume 31     Number 9 Saturday, March 3, 2001 * Harrisburg, Pa. Pages 1217--1310

	Lower Mount Bethel Energy, LLC Plan Approval Application No. 48-328-004 Public Hearing Notice

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) will hold a public hearing for the Department to take testimony concerning the air quality plan approval for Lower Mount Bethel Energy, LLC (the Permittee), Depues Ferry Road, Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, PA, for construction of two combustion turbines with duct burners and a cooling tower. All maximum potential emissions, emissions consumption of the available Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) air quality increments and the conditions placed in the Plan Approval to show compliance with the applicable standards have previously been published in the January 16, 17, 18, 2001 issues of the Morning Call and in the February 17, 2001 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

A public hearing will be held for the purpose of receiving comments on the proposed air quality plan approval. The hearing will be held on April 17, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at the Nazareth High School, East Center Street, Nazareth, PA. Persons interested in commenting are invited to appear at the public hearing.

Copies of the application, the Department's technical review and other supporting documents are available for public inspection between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Department's Bethlehem District Office, 4530 Bath Pike, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Appointments for scheduling a review may be made by calling (610) 861-2070.

The general procedures for the hearing are as follows:

To develop an agenda for the hearing, the Department requests that individuals wishing to testify at the hearing submit a written notice of their intent. The notice should be sent to Thomas A. DiLazaro, Hearing Examiner, Department of Environmental Protection, Air Quality Program, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0790. The Department will accept notices up to the day of the public hearing.

This written notice should include the person's name, address, telephone number and a brief description as to the nature of the testimony. Individuals who submit a notice of intent to testify will be given priority on the agenda. If time permits, the Department will allow individuals who have not submitted a notice of intent to testify to present their comments.

Each individual will have up to 10 minutes to present testimony. The Department requests that individuals present written copies of their testimony in addition to their oral presentations.

To insure that all speakers have a fair and equal opportunity to present their testimony, relinquishing of time will be prohibited. Further details relating to the procedures to be followed at the hearing will be outlined at the beginning of the hearing.

Persons with disabilities who wish to attend the hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate in the proceedings, should contact Richard Shudak of the Department at (570) 826-2060 or the Pennsylvania ATT Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.

Persons unable to attend the hearing can submit written testimony to the Department through May 17, 2001.

For additional information regarding the above, contact Thomas A. DiLazaro at (570) 826-2435 or write to the Department at the Wilkes-Barre address given previously.