Lycoming News

HARRISBURG – Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) has voiced concerns over a new energy plan proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro that could potentially harm the future of four local coal refuse plants in Schuylkill and Carbon Counties.

“It’s stunning to me that we were able to work with Gov. Wolf, despite our differences, to help our local coal refuse plants survive in a difficult environment, and now Gov. Shapiro is telling them to ‘Drop Dead!’” said Argall.

Argall emphasized the importance of the coal refuse plants in the region, stating, “Anyone who has lived, worked, or traveled through our area is very familiar with the mountains of waste coal that once littered the landscape. These black mountains have been steadily disappearing for three decades, thanks to these plants. Sites that were choked with coal waste for a century have been transformed into green hills and forests.”

Expressing his concerns about the potential consequences of Shapiro's new energy plan, Argall highlighted the risks involved, stating, “By proposing this new carbon tax, Shapiro is also putting good, local family-sustaining jobs at risk, straining the stability and reliability of our power grid, and putting Pennsylvania’s status as a leading energy producer in question.”

Argall urged Shapiro to reconsider the plan, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts, “Argall is asking Shapiro to reconsider this effort to kill abandoned mine land remediation efforts across Pennsylvania and to instead work with people in this region to draft a new energy plan.”

The senator also pointed out the significant progress made with bipartisan support in the past, “In 2019 and 2020, Argall and former Sen. John Yudichak championed two pieces of bipartisan legislation to help these plants survive, both of which were signed into law by Wolf.”

Furthermore, Argall raised concerns about the potential setbacks the new plan could cause, “Details of Shapiro’s new energy plan indicate that it would undo much of this progress,” he said.

According to the PA Department of Environmental Protection, coal refuse plants in Pennsylvania have made substantial contributions to environmental reclamation efforts, “coal refuse plants in Pennsylvania have successfully reclaimed over 7,200 acres of abandoned mine land and restored more than 1,200 miles of polluted streams.”

The article highlighted the four coal reclamation plants in Schuylkill and Carbon Counties, including Rausch Creek Generation in Tremont, Panther Creek Energy Facility in Nesquehoning, Schuylkill Energy Resources in Shenandoah, and John B. Rich Memorial Power Station near Frackville.

For further information, interested parties can contact Jim Brugger at 717-787-2637.