Press Release - Environmental Hearing Board Appeal

PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 8, 2011 3:05PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                December 8, 2011

Crawford County Residents to Challenge DEP, CRE in Front of Environmental Hearing Board      On November 24, 2011 we filed an appeal to the Environmental Hearing Board concerning the Air Quality Permit that the DEP issued to CRE, the company that plans to build the nation’s largest tire-to-energy plant in Crawford County.  The company plans to burn 900 tons of shredded tires per day in order to produce electricity. This will result in air emissions of 690 tons per year of carbon monoxide, 253 tons per year of nitrogen oxides, 153 tons per year of sulfur dioxides, 92 tons per year of particulate matter-10, 46 tons per year of particulate matter-2.5, 27 tons per year of volatile organic compounds, 622,000 tons per year of greenhouse gases, 65 pounds per year of lead, 3 pounds per year of mercury, and 2.2 pounds per year of arsenic.      Exposure to these emissions could potentially increase the incidence of cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and cause other human health complications.        Our appeal specifies fifteen legal objections to the Air Quality Permit approved by the DEP.  Among the objections is our contention that CRE provided emission estimates without supporting data.  Without the supporting data, we believe, based upon review of scientific studies, that the emissions of various substances may have been underestimated. Thus the air modeling performed subsequently may have underestimated the levels of emissions that citizens of the surrounding communities, as well as plant and animal populations downwind of this plant, will be exposed to.     Our backgrounds as an elementary school teacher and as a physician motivated us to file this appeal, as did our shared interest in protecting the environment of Northwestern Pennsylvania. It is our belief, that if the CRE plant is constructed and operated as presently described, it will have significant deleterious effects on both human health and the health of the surrounding environment.      The Geneva Marsh, an irreplaceable and fragile wetland that is home to Pennsylvania’s largest breeding population of bald eagles and a very popular waterfowl hunting area, is in close proximity to the facility and may be significantly impacted by the emissions from this plant.  The water that flows through the Marsh is a major tributary of French Creek, one of the most diverse and important streams in the Northeastern United States.  These invaluable environmental treasures and the health of the people of our community deserve a high level of protection.      In our final analysis, this appeal is nothing less than concerned citizens rising up in self-defense of our community.  We have faith in the appeal process and feel confident that our objections to the Air Quality Permit will be sustained. Bob Concilus, M.D. Leah Humes, M.A.