Lycoming News

A new energy plan initiated by Gov. Josh Shapiro could potentially hinder mine land remediation efforts by shutting down local electric power plants, warn Sen. Dave Argall (R-29), Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-122), Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124), Rep. Mike Cabell (R-117), Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123), Rep. JoAnne Stehr (R-107), and Rep. Dane Watro (R-116).

House Bill 2277, one of two bills proposed to execute Shapiro’s plan, aims to close all coal refuse plants within a few years, thus ending their significant contribution to reclaiming abandoned mine lands and restoring polluted streams.

Argall said, “We were able to work across the aisle with Gov. Wolf, despite our differences, to help our local electric power plants survive and continue their important work.” He added that the supporters of this new energy plan would rather see the black and grey wastelands left behind by past mining operations persist for hundreds more years.

Heffley expressed his concern over the situation stating, “Now, Gov. Shapiro and his supporters are drafting plans to shut down these plants without stepping foot in the communities that are impacted the most by mountains of waste coal." He further emphasized on the need for them to reconsider their decision and interact with residents living in communities affected by these refuse piles.

According to data from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, 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.

Local legislators are urging Shapiro to rethink this move which could negatively impact abandoned mine land remediation efforts across Pennsylvania and instead collaborate with people in this region to draft a new energy plan.

In 2019 and 2020, Argall along with former Sen. John Yudichak advocated two pieces of bipartisan legislation to aid these plants, both of which were signed into law by Wolf. House Bill 2277 could potentially reverse much of this progress.

Four coal reclamation plants are located 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.