Contact: Gillian Graber, Executive Director, Protect PT, gillian@protectpt.org
August 9, 2022 - Rostraver Township, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) [held] public hearings regarding a published draft air quality plan approval [65-00767C] to allow the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill (WSL) to construct and operate a leachate evaporation system. The hearings occur[ed] on Wednesday, August 31 at 6pm at Rostraver Central Fire Department, 1100 Fells Church Rd, Rostraver Township, P.A., and Thursday, September 1 at 6pm virtually via the Webex platform. Protect PT [held] a press conference prior to the August 31, 2022 hearing at 5:30pm at the Rostraver Central Fire Department.
The Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill is located in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County. Waste liquids produced from a landfill are generalized using the term “leachate.” Research confirms leachate contains substances that are toxic to the environment and to human health. Examples of these hazards include radioactive waste, carcinogens, heavy metals (i.e. lead) and pesticides. The evaporation of these chemicals would contaminate the air and put Westmoreland County residents at risk.
“Westmoreland area residents have already reported experiencing health problems as a result of the Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill” said Protect PT Executive Director, Gillian Graber. “Evaporating these substances violates community members’ right to clean air and water as a resident of Pennsylvania.”
Those who wish to attend the virtual hearing can contact the DEP’s Southwest Community Relations Coordinator, Lauren Fraley, at lfraley@pa.gov or 412-442-4203 to obtain more information.
In order to present testimony at either hearing individuals must register to do so also with Fraley by 4pm the day prior to the hearing. Testimony will be limited to three minutes and time may not be shared.
Protect PT and Sierra Club [led] a resident roundtable in preparation of these hearings on August 27 at 700 Plaza Drive, Rostraver Township, PA 15012 from 10am to 1pm. Written protests may also be submitted at https://protectpt.info/WSLComments or mailed to DEP’s Southwest Regional Office, Air Quality Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Comments should be received prior to the close of business September 11, 2022.
Learn more about the August 31 and September 1 hearings at https://protectpt.info/DEPHearings. Read the full proposed air quality plan approval at https://protectpt.info/WSLPlanApproval. Find out more about the risk and effects of leachate evaporation for Westmoreland County community members at https://protectpt.info/LeachateEvaporation.
Protect Penn-Trafford is a citizen's group working to ensure the safety, security, and quality of life from the effects of unconventional gas development in Penn-Trafford and surrounding communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties. Learn more at protectpt.org.